Keala Policy Formation, Suggestions

Policy Formation: Suggestions

Highlights

• More ways to increase nontaxable income
• Effective preparedness for AI disruption
• Measures and interventions to increase dignity
• Focus on circular economy
• Review of unhealthy transfers, pet projects
• Surface Transport vs Underground transport
• Industrialization of the farm sector
• Housing Patterns
• Drainage Systems and Groundwater columns
• Adaptations for changing realities, preventions
• Motivations and Visions, Objectives

More ways to increase nontaxable income

• Based on the market share threshold or profit threshold, mandate state equities and board participation in private entities.
• This is in addition to existing taxation. Some sort of implicit profit-tapping
• The existing tax dues may be converted into such holdings, so that future taxes may be focused
• State may deploy professional investment vehicles that can invest and get returns from domestic and international share markets. Some sort of portfolio management to target short-term and long-term gains
• Issue of debt bonds that can be used as assurance notes for helping MSMEs. The idea is to not only give government support and guarantees, bit also to tap profit shares.
• Examples:
• The US government is directly and indirectly involved in most of the oil companies in the Middle East
• Most of the Chinese firms have legal liability to have government stakes

Effective preparedness for AI disruption

• As Rahul Gandhi said, AI is a sophisticated work reduction tool – either it increases efficiency, eliminates some amount of manual work or restructures the way work is done – that can lead to direct or indirect job reduction
• The side-effect jobs, generated by AI, like ML training jobs, monitoring and overseeing jobs may be reviewed for their longevity, as the maturity of AI systems may reduce the need for them
• Already we have contract job patterns. Many of the permanent jobs are also provisioned for terminations on short notice. 
• Deployment of AI ML may the further dilute job security
• Youngsters may be adaptable, but people reaching middle age may feel difficulty in running after trends as they will be engaged in family building
• We need a wider and more accessible basic social security net to protect the people who are struggling/left out of the race

Measures and interventions to increase dignity

• Planned displacements may be used as an effective tool for reducing social tensions and may help to build a heterogeneous environment, with proper studies
• Most of the time the cast/religion/language discriminations are relative to the place or region. Logically rehabilitating the people at the receiving end to other places where their dignity can be upheld will be beneficial to making them more productive

Focus on circular economy

• Plans to deploy effective re-use and ensure consistency and predictability of re-cycles
• The mercury hazard of dumping CFL lamps after use is known. A similar hazard is applicable to LED lamps as they contain lead. It is difficult to recycle CFL and LED. But it is relatively easy to recycle filament lamps. So, from a recycling perspective, filament lamps may be reviewed, though power consumption is greater.
• The sanitary pads may have to undergo strict re-cycling patterns as they are dumped or burned (individually or collectively). Manufacturers should be enabled to collect them back.

Review of unhealthy transfers, pet projects

• Transfers are seen as a one-stop solution to resist corruption. The unavailability of resources may be driving transfers; current patterns need to be reviewed
• Transfers prevent people from staying in a place for long, and hence prevents them from building alternative income/local interventions on spare time
• Transfers affects kids, as they grow without close friends. This is a blow on top of isolated micro-family based social reluctance.
• There is a tendency to accommodate cadre/pets via short lived projects that are throw away after few years. This not only reduce the reliability but also create rooms for corruption

Surface Transport vs Underground transport

• Many developed countries have long underground rail networks and road networks. These may reduce environmental impact, as natural landscapes water flows and water bodies are not impacted
• We can even think about underground water transport so that goods movement can be achieved seamlessly

Industrialization of the farm sector

• Land may be mobilized under government bodies and may be leased, as Dr. Ambedkar suggested. The need for land reforms like mechanisms to liberate people and to make them available for service/work, seems to be over. Now, we need a push for organized and collective activities

Housing Patterns

• It needs to be evaluated whether housing colonies/apartments/flats are environment-friendly, relative to independent house
• Advantages of collective residential patterns like flats/apartments
• The amount of land converted to buildings may be reduced
• More environment-friendly and stable places may be selected
• Waste management and other common needs may be collectively addressed
• Advantages of individual residential patterns – houses/villas/bungalows
• Domestic agriculture needs may be addressed
• Privacy and traditional concepts may be observed 

Drainage Systems and Groundwater columns

• Most of the time, centralized drainage systems take water away from the place of use. Mostly, it may end up in rivers or sea. This may not help in building groundwater levels. 
• We need policies to monitor structures on land (buildings, tile, sheds, etc.) that prevent natural water exposure, during rains. Effective rainwater harvesting may be promoted to increase groundwater level
• Healthy groundwater levels are essential for bio-diversity. The impact of reducing groundwater level on the nature of the soil, as well as heat heat-containing ability of land, may be studied to form policies.

Adaptations for changing realities, preventions

• Not all changes are preventable. Local actions or actions within our boundaries may not be enough to prevent them
• Examples
• The European Union has enforced Type C chargers for all electronic devices so that specific charger needs may be reduced. This eventually helps in electronic waste reduction
• The Netherlands started seaweed plantations for 1-2 kilometres supported by artificially raised roads on sea shores to reduce the impact of the sea level rise. They also ensure that the seaweed is properly productized and the market is generated for it to ensure consistency of the initiative

Motivations and Visions, Objectives

• For every developing nation, well-penetrated national goals and vision and the ability of common people to align and involved are important
• We need to generate thought leaders like Rahulji (easy example). They generate optimism and hope. It also generates value for being part of the nation.
• The migrations of younger ones as well as the increase in crime rates indicate that we are failing to present hope and objectives, as a society. Social welfare schemes, self-reliability as well as self-respect should be inherent and evident throughout initiatives
• The short-lived initiatives, a pet project that changes with governments, etc. give a feeling of inconsistency and increase mistrust in ourselves. Need to be sensitive to this during policy formation

NB: My two cents based on brainstorming done as part of the General Consultation by KPCC Public Policy Research Wing on Aug 24, 2024

Notes on Kerala Development - Senior Citizen, Corruption and Development Hubs

TL & DR

Social Policy

Senior Citizen Rehabilitation

• Global scenario
• Many issues like increased life expectancy, work related relocations, low birth rates, etc. make senior citizen rehabilitation a global issue.
• Indian Scenario
• The trend in metros is par with the global trend. Even in urban areas the senior citizen rehabilitation is becoming a challenge. UPA regime had enacted some laws in this regard.
• Kerala scenario, Accomplishments 
• Kerala had responded to the challenges related to elders in very constructive way, particularly via palliative care and social experiments.
• Challenges, Gaps 
• Elders are not always happy with the destitute treatment, as they expect more involvement and dignity during senior days. A holistic and evolving strategy and approach may be more constructive to master the issue.
• Recommendations
• Development of senior citizen rehabilitation hubs and the establishment of senior citizen departments will be a positive interference to the evolving challenges.

Fight Corruption via Transparency

• Global Scenario
• Corruption is a global phenomenon. The people of developing and under developing countries are more impacted more by corruption.
• Indian Scenario
• India is also very much affected by corruption. Even the spirit of our nation is compromised due to the room for corruption in almost every walk of life.
• Kerala scenario, Accomplishments
• Kerala had tried to implement camera surveillance in government offices, implemented various single window systems, implemented service level agreements, etc. to counter corruption.
• Challenges, Gaps
• Most of the time, we are reactive to corruption. Punishment and forced relocations etc., treated as reactionary measures to prevent corruption. The increase of transparency will be an effective tool to resist and reduce corruption, as it may be a proactive measure.

Economy

Futuristic Development Hubs

• Global scenario
• Centralized planning around existing consolidations is being discouraged, worldwide. As the connectivity is increased, developing decentralized and localized development hubs are proven to be more productive.
• Indian Scenario
• India also had given focus to develop second layer and third layer cities a lot. They are some moves in the right direction.
• Kerala scenario, Accomplishments
• Kerala had attempted to build KINFRA parks like institutions and technological hubs in many of second tier cities and district head quatres.
• Challenges, Gaps
• Instead of developing existing second tier locations, we may have to think about development well thought hubs from scratch with future in mind. Most of the times, existing locations also contains a lot of baggage, which we can avoid, if we could choose new destinies after proper design.

Some More Details

Social Policy

Senior Citizen Rehabilitation

Overview

The general health indices of Kerala are at par with many of the developed nations. The same is the case for the reach of education. These aspects effectively, help us to have a long life expectancy, as we are more equipped to make more learned health care choices. Another product of social awareness and responsibility is the planned reduction of births. These aspects, together expose to a new global trend of having a large proportion of a relatively aged population in society.

In the last few decades, private jobs, contract jobs as well as self-employment emerged as dwelling space for many of us. Compared to government jobs, public sector jobs and the jobs offered by government-aided institutions, these new-generation occupations do not provide adequate after-job care. Mostly it is deemed as individual responsibility to take care of their retirement life. The situation of people who are returning to us after a successful period abroad may also be added to them.

Moreover, most of this generation is keen on educating their wards. They tend to give more exposure to their offspring, as they are better aware of the education, research, employment and living opportunities worldwide. While the exposure is much desired to make us global citizens, it also brings a culture of over-independence as well as a self-centred lifestyle to us.  

On the one hand, these developments are great achievements. On the other hand, it also brings a great challenge, as the management of senior citizen, especially those who have been living in better living conditions in their building age is a new task at hand.

To summarize, the increase in relative life expectancy and the decrease in relative reproduction rate should be accepted as a reality. We should acknowledge that healthy seniors need a dignified path, that will motivate the younger generation with a decent expectation of old age.

Context

The most significant step that happened in India in response to the problems of the aged population was the enactment of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 by the UPA government. The act mostly sees the issue of old age care as a responsibility of offspring. This law does not solve everything, most of the time, elders do not love to live as dependents. Though it may not be acceptable for younger generations, we should understand that the right to live without dependencies has to be respected.

There are many NGOs that are formed to address issues of the elderly, below may be a partial list:

• VridhCare | https://www.vridhcare.com 
• Help Age India | https://www.helpageindia.org 
• Dignity Foundation | https://www.dignityfoundation.com 
• Age Well Foundation | https://www.agewellfoundation.org 
• Dadi Dada Foundation | https://dadidadafoundation.in 
• Pakal Veedu (KudumbaShree) | https://www.kudumbashree.org
• Pallium India | https://palliumindia.org/ 

If we closely examine the pattern of their operations, we can very well understand that they are mostly running on donations, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiates, and some also accommodate fee-based services. If we analyze the areas of services offered by such NGOs, we can categorize them in the following way:

• Food/Grain/Nutri Kits
• Old Age Stay and Support
• Medical Aid/Health Checkups
• Collaborating Spaces – Arts/Publications/Counseling/etc.
• Legal Consultation/Support/Helplines
• Employment Support

However, the existing laws or orphanages like old age homes or old age support are not enough to ensure dignity. There is room for discussion in this regard.

Opportunities

I suggest discussing the following opportunities to help our veterans and upcoming veterans to match their dignity.

Rather than building old age homes, we should build senior productivity and rehabilitation centres

• These centres should emerge as knowledge and wisdom hubs so that the senior citizens associated with them can be involved in society in their capacity. This will help them feel valued and increase their esteem
• There could be review and critic hubs, where their expertise may be utilized by government and non-government initiatives on a fee basis. The involvement will keep their mental activity of them upbeat.
• There could be small-scale production houses, which can produce skilled products, art products, etc. Such activities may help to keep them engaged physically for a purpose, so that many of the health issues may be reduced.
• May produce knowledge outcomes, like books and summaries in various capacities. Many of them would have experience-based knowledge that might have evolved over decades
• The common needs and aspirations of seniors may be addressed together
• Many of them might have learning wishes that might have left in the run. We could facilitate their learning needs.
• Many of them might have developed an interest in theology and might wish to visit and have short stays in religious places and may wish to participate in various rituals according to their belief systems. We could facilitate them, in a planned way.
• Walking, Swimming, and Yoga, like common best practices, may be facilitated to keep senior life more pleasant
• Many veterans have the skills of performing arts and many wish to enjoy them, we could link such needs effectively
• There is also a growing trend of small and long trips and picnics by seniors; we could facilitate these with safety and care 
• Seniors may reduce their dependency on their offspring, which can increase their dignity
• Education brings knowledge as well as opportunities. Displacement in many aspects is part of it. Also, survival brings lots of challenges. We should view with empathy, why younger generation increasingly misses helping seniors live with dignity, rather than seeing it as an act of personal cruelty or injustice
• Hence, seniors should have a “place to go”, where they can contribute and associate with dignity. Building such establishments, will not only help the seniors, but it also equips younger generations to be more free choices in life. 
• A well-managed senior citizen framework also can help better social health, as there will be some loose and peaceful options to head for.

To better manage the above, we may devise a senior citizen department, instead of treating it as an orphan issue

• It can be a mechanism to orchestrate and formulate strategies via a well-formed senior citizens' department
• The NGOs and other voluntary and government support may be streamlined and better managed by it

In the US, the National Institute on Aging drives studies on ageing and is formulating challenges and strategies to contain them.  Similar research can also be facilitated by a dedicated department.

Reference

• https://population.un.org/wpp/
• https://www.population-trends-asiapacific.org/data/IND
• https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/IND/india/life-expectancy 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:India_single_age_population_pyramid_2020.png
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maintenance_and_Welfare_of_Parents_and_Senior_Citizens_Act,_2007 
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/
• https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/10-things-that-age-you-154020.htm 
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia-aging/staying-healthy-as-you-age.htm 
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/life-begins-at-50-indias-globetrotting-middle-class-retiring-early-to-enjoy-high-quality-life/articleshow/47484119.cms
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/pakal-veedu-helps-seniors-reconnect-in-thrissur/article26622030.ece
• https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/old-age-and-stress-management-why-older-people-have-more-difficulty-handling-stress/353922

Fight Corruption via Transparency

Overview

Everyone talks about corruption. But we are engaging with it directly or indirectly. Many times, only the definitions keep us out of corruption!

Context

To appreciate that we indulge in corrupt activities in day-to-day life, we may define corruption as an “access fee”. 

The first part is that corruption is allowing one to perform some actions or gives access to some people/resources that one was not exposed to. Mostly the lack of exposure may be due to the knowledge gap on “how to” or lack of expertise in doing something. There is a second part to it, which is to facilitate illegal access to one who was not entitled, in a hidden way.

The two aspects of corruption, that we have highlighted above – the issues related to inability to access and issues related to illegal access – may be reduced with better transparency.

Instead of addressing the need and opportunity of corruption, most of the time we are trying to make reactive counteractions. They may range from individual punishments to preventive measures like transfers.

Opportunities

We have introduced RTI (Right to Information) act-like initiatives taken in the past. But, many of them are being diluted or nullified on many fronts

• Need to bring a strict acknowledgement system everywhere (not only in government capacities but also should bring ISO like standards to ensure they are followed even in private firms)
• Need to have the right to know the progress of any process with transparency and expected turnaround time for every step in the action
• Need to make every approval and deviation (exceptions), we need a system to publish exceptions - decisions, and approvals that deviate from the normal flow of actions. 

Over processes should be defined with such nonfunctional goals, so that overall transparency and reliability of the system will increase. This will reduce room for corruption and will increase the confidence in the state. 

If we could develop more transparency, we could reduce the transfer of government employees and public sector employees as a preventive step. We can restrict transfers only to address the need of expertise. This could be a game changer in social security as people can stick to one place for long.

Economy

Futuristic Development Hubs

Overview

The British had planned cities and settlements around their transportation hubs. If we carefully observe before them, Kings were also doing so. Most of our great cities seem to have come to existence in this fashion. 

Context

I happened to work in Chennai for 10 years. While searching the past of the city, I could find that, it was a normal fishing town, before the establishment of ports and railway hubs there. We could see that, a town which was created due to some specific needs evolves due to the facilities available there.

Opportunities

I wish to think about distributed development hubs. Need to do a thorough analysis of our geography to understand

• Areas that are not good for farming, and do not have environmental values may be listed
• Such areas may be analyzed for their transportation and communication connectivity
• Analyze the feasibility of developing underground transport and connectivity networks

Shortlist such destinations and develop industry and education hubs there

NB: Prepared for Kerala Development Seminar – 2024, held at Ernakulam DCC on January 2024

Some Random Focus Points..

The Sangh

The Sangh viewpoints, generally co-ordinated by RSS (Rashtriya Swayam-Sevak Sangh), are not only a natural continuation of the British doctrines but also are self-destructive based on hate and mistrust. The Sangh conveniently oppose everything that British rulers were against and used to keep a dead silence on the ill-intended divisive policies and explicit and implicit cruelties of them that damaged the social fabric and collective wisdom of India. They are always active in blaming pre-British India (and post-British governments) for everything and try to give a narrative that, protectionism and reversal of 500 years back, with some speculations on fancy wisdom, will guide us to prosperity. In reality, they use these tactics to grab power, like the British, just to gain control of the capital, which is quite evident from the policies and priorities of BJP governments.

On the other hand, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was well aware of this trap, and while allowing them to function, he aimed their transformation. But, on a serious review, as a nation in general and the Congress in particular somewhat failed to keep the ideological views to keep them in the right place.

The Backdoor

The systematic political polarization of the institutions, in fact, started much before the BJP officially started ruling the country. From the late 1960s, sympathisers of the Sangh views managed to deploy trojan horses and narratives of security concerns to support the ploys. These elements were instrumental in decision-making now and then, even in the UPA regime. I wish to highlight just two examples of their influence:

• The rules and regulations of TADA, UAPA, ED and NIA were practically formed to bypass judicial jurisdiction, and the ability of subjects to go for appeal is minimal. The period of detainment for trial is without a cap. This clearly shows the non-democratic attitude of the people involved; and clearly not a Congress way of doing things

• The foreigner’s act and passport act related rules and regulations were amended much before CAA 2019 with almost similar provisions of CAA 2019. This indicates that the work was under preparation.

Also, there was no friction from higher officials in accepting the BJP regime, and the stage was already set to accept them. On the other hand, brilliant officials like T N Sheshan and Raghuram Rajan were used to tarnish the image of the Congress block in a structured way.

We can see these as the results of a well-planned and coordinated backdoor effort, which everyone should seriously handle. Even if the INDIA block gets a political mandate, sizable such activities will serve the government with a well-defined hidden agenda. Congress should be sensitive to tackle this, as these, in effect, nullify our democratic participatory political vision of our country.

Focus Points

In the above context, the below focus items seem very relevant to me, to keep ourselves focused on nation-building and to neutralize ill-informed narratives:

Promotion of small-scale production houses, logistics and market generation

Promotion of domestic and international tourism, related production/market generation like memoirs, souvenirs, native products etc  

Mandatory state holdings and mandatory state participation on boards of all corporates that cross a threshold level or revenue or asset. This will increase visibility as well as not tax revenues

Tax soaps and waivers to corporates should be made accountable. They should be linked to the direct permanent employment produced by them or the value they produce for nation-building

Develop mechanisms to prevent tax/raid terrorism. Financial crimes that do not affect life and people may be settled with fines and charges, there should be empathy to allow the accused to recover and correct, rather than destroying the venture or long jail terms

All draconian laws should be reviewed. All laws and agencies should be sub judice and the ability to appeal should be ensured. Detaining more than a month without proper conviction should be strictly prevented

Mechanisms to avoid hijacking of power should be developed. Prevent the formation of power centres and centralization of power in all democratic institutions

The government should own a religious education framework and should start generic places of worship so that institutionalization of religion can be resisted and moderate versions can be preached

Remove religion and cast from all records, except census. There should be a separate religion cast and language registry set up, where one can register his/her affinity, from time to time

Bring back birth-based, registration-based and naturalization-based citizenship.

Uphold the right for dignity – social awareness and systems should ensure – education, self-reliance, social commitment, self-respect and mutual respect

Participation of old age people and veterans in serious activities so that their dignity is upheld, rather than treating their issues on the grounds of charity

NB: Shared to staff of Dr. Shahi Tharoor on April 2024 via mail