Logic behind pension age hike

Things are already set to increase pension age of government employees in Kerala. Government is planning to raise pension age from 56 to 58. The same has been announced in the house by the honorable finance minister Shri. K.M. Mani. It was four months ago that the pension age was upped from 55 to 56. As per the reports, existing scenario is very alarming; "Today, there are 5.34 lakh state government employees and 5.50 lakh state government pensioners. Also, an average, a state government employee works in the government for 25 to 30 years, while a pensioner has to be paid pension for around 25 to 30 years. Every year, Rs.7,731 crore goes to pay pension and this situation cannot go on for long," said Chandy. Government was hugely burdened with 75 percent of the state revenue going to pay salaries, pensions and interest on borrowings. Amidst financial crisis and increased expenditure, pensioners are becoming a huge liability to the exchequer. In order to reduce government spending and to utilize the expertise of experienced hands, government finds such a way in this impasse. If they are given another two years, the cash-strapped state government would save around Rs 375 crore this fiscal.  Even though the decision was warmly welcomed by the working class, youth movements and students federations vehemently opposed this move.  

Normally around 20000 people retires every year and any decision to increase pension age may badly affect around 30 lakh (45 lakh as per Employment Exchange) unemployed youth of Kerala. In these circumstances, this plan will almost freeze new recruitments and make the unemployment crisis more severe in coming two years. In the wake of the validity of the PSC list is one year, this will also affect the shortlisted candidates. Additionally, this move only has a temporary advantage and the same issue will emerge after two years with much vigor. In short, plan to raise pensions age do not have any long term significance and assumes bad effect to the society.  When opposition runs over their political survival, ruling party finds it as a chance to pass the decision. The silence of mere political fronts may favor this move and the hidden agenda to raise pension age to 60 might also happen.   

Albeit the finance minister proposed to reduce the age limit for PSC applicants - to console the youth population, the logic behind is totally unknown. The real fact is that, the decision to increase pension age is an act of adding oil to the fire. Instead of maintaining exiting staffs, government can curtail its expenditure by sourcing new candidates. It is true that, new generation can play a level playing role with current man power and the wage expense towards fresh candidates will be very low compared with their predecessors. The techno savvy youths can learn and contribute a large rather than any other and they also can contribute innovative ideas to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance.  What government should do is, curtail cost by adapting strategies like gradual reduction of pension, innovative incentive plans, early retirement opportunities and creating job opportunities for pensioners through outsourcing, contract/private jobs etc. instead of meager and politically motivated proposals.

Don't let ourselves in dark

(Excerpts from "Purappurath Veezhunna OOrjatthe KSEB yil thedunnavar" Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil)

In the wake of Fukushima nuclear accident that questioned the safety of atomic power, solar power is emerged as the most viable option for power generation. Rightly say, now people can directly access solar power rather than run before KSEB. While different obstacles like global warming, climate change and energy crisis looming, this green energy opens a novel window to sustainable future. There is no dual opinion to supporting action against energy wastage, but forcing us to observe or practice 'switch off' is not an equally acceptable practice in a democratic country. Whilst striving to sustain the loss making KSEB, we should adapt most modern strategies in power generation. KSEB can play a crucial role in the promotion of renewable sources in hand with ANERT that may possibly add a golden chapter in this scenario of Kerala State Electricity Board. By developing such unique strategies, KSEB can even buy electricity from people through grid system rather than clamoring to invest tons for maintaining and constructing gigantic dams. Whereas finding a solution for power shortage, this will also act as a source of income for lakhs of people. Government also needs to do a lot through strengthening promotional mechanism to propagate the viability and feasibility of solar power. Enhancing subsidy, loan facility with lower interest rates, tax exemption, green certification etc. may attract large number people to alternate sources of energy.

  

Development implies the identification and utilization of opportunities and any restriction to give eye and ear to this notion is the real reason behind the lagging of development. Albeit issues are amounting, we shouldn't succumbs ourselves before these hurdles. Let's arise and create a new revolution for a cause. While our geographical as well as climatic conditions most suits for power generation, any reluctance to tap this boon is unpardonable. We are obliged to preserve our environment and the duty bestowed up on is to keep our ecosystem and resources away from depletion. People, politicians, policy makers, technicians, service providers and administrators shall join hands to push this movement. Not the dark which crumbles us in nights but the stag which arrest our growth and production in the day light is a serious concern, while power forces to ‘turn off’.  Rather than the dimming of luxuries, stagnation of growth due to power crisis will be a looming catastrophe in the future.   Don't let the sun rays to simply spring and go, catalyze our efforts to grab this abundant resource.

Come on Youth

Today, I am trying to bring your attention to an important matter; As mentioned earlier - What role we can play to revive our India? - Simply Clamoring?, triggering strikes? shouting slogans? - We want to think it again and again. I also thought about the same.While corruption, policy paralysis and maladministration clutching my country, what is the other and better option left for us?.

Way back to BC 1700, India was the second largest contributor to the global economy in terms of GDP. Whilst China contributed 27% of GDP, India posted around 23%. Our country was blessed with abundant resources and bio diversity. Albeit, we were rich in resources, lack technology and low range of intellectual expansion made us one of the poor countries in some times. Globally renowned war veterans and scientists like Guptas, Asoka, Chanakya, Charaka, Varahamira were lived in India, that was enough to propagate the glory of India all over the world. The same has been attracted large number of foreign travelers and invaders to India. Turks, Arabs and the gigantic Europeans ploughed and plundered lion part our resources.  This was in the wake of resource drainage, Dadabhai Navaroji incarnated and unraveled the real story behind poverty and plight of Indians.This phenomenon resulted the high ended growth of Europeans.

Just compare the past scenario with the present. USA is the largest contributor towards Global GDP. China also posting a fare portion. Even though India shows consistent growth among world countries, its contribution towards world GDP is negligible. Although China still maintains above 10% growth, India strives to survive. It is understood that, India is a global soft power, but what we need is the high enhancement of hard power particles. This is why Sir Sayyed Ahammed Khan,a prominent liberator motivated people to educate rather than participate in Indian National Movements. Now let me come to the point. What is really required to us rather than mere crowds and loud?

Anna Hassare now fasting at Janatar Mantir. Forgetting food and feeble crowds, Teama Anna and India Agaiandst Corruption (IAC) members leading a fight against corruption. Prominent and profound leaders Kiran Bedi IPS, Aravind Kegrival, the White Tiger and Prasanth Bhusahan (Fortunately  the real Baba now away from the site) trying to amount the displeasure of people against corruption and UPA. I am not sure what is going to happen and like to call it as vain effort. It is true that spectrum of corruption widens, like 2G, Adarsh, CMG, KG Basin, Tetra, S band etc, etc. According to Transparency International Report,  India is on of the corrupted countries and The Week called our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - an Under Achiever. 

Let me type few words in favor of Singhji. The reformer in late nineteens triggered liberalization, doubtless to say - an instrument behind the economic reformation and revival of India. Now the under achiever crushed under the iron roads of corruption. Even though he is a man of integrity, he is now a tiger without teeth. He can intend, evolve and suggest, but cant act. Some called him as 'Soni's puppet'. Obviously, he is a prominent policy maker but not at all a good administrator. Deliberately, he needs a supporter like Rao.

While moving, we need smart Managers, loyal policy makers and honest administrators. Unfortunately we can't expect a good yield by feeding already fruit beard trees. The question is what we can do and what we can gift to the coming generation. Possible or impossible - it is good to consider others, cultivate loyalty and integrity, practice honesty and stand for truth. Bowed before the great man in the history - Mahatma Gandhi, he suggested to disperse Congress after the independence, but nothing was happened. Now we cry over this burden and it sisters/brothers. Irrespective of party and politics, corruption and malpractices are clutching everyone. A complete reformation is a need of this hour. (Let me suggest you to re read Swami Vivekananda.)

The only possibility I see is the emergence of right youth in all key positions including political powers. With self reliance and self respect, let's rule and revive our country with an integrity. Smart and dynamic people can strive to achieve the same - a glorious future. "The youth of India will not just make a difference to the Nation, but to the world. 47% of Indians is under the age of 20 and 10% of the world population is an Indian under 25 is a common assessment of India by all countries now. It’s the youth of this country that needs to make things happen and make the dreams of the earlier generation a reality. After all, this is the generation that is reaping the benefits of the struggle of its forefathers who fought for the freedom of this nation and this is the same generation that will reap the benefits of its work, determination and attitude.

"If not me, then who? If not now, then when?" are lines that can describe the nature of the youth in India, who surely will pave the direction of the nation in the years to come, a direction that will make every Indian proud of their nation!!!"