'Growing Mafia Economy A Threat To Kerala’s Advancement; Development Model Needs To Evolve': Former Planning Board Member

The Kerala model of development is facing serious challenges at the moment, said Dr K N Harilal, former Planning Board member and professor at the Centre for Development Studies as per a Financial Express report.

Harilal was delievering the sixth lecture in a series called ‘Kerala Economy in Transition’, jointly organised by the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation and the Kerala Economic Association.

He said, “Kerala model of development is now facing serious challenges in neoliberal, sociopolitical and economic system. Kerala model created an alternative avenue for development with the unified efforts of its people. Unfortunately, there is a deliberate attempt to sabotage this unity, which is dangerous to the development of the state beyond the Kerala model.”

He also highlighted that the growing mafia economy in Kerala is also a serious threat to the advancement of the state. He added that the state should take serious efforts to release the economy from the clutches of the underground mafia.

He further underscored the need for further improvement in the civil services to tackle the emerging challenges and complexities in the global economy.

“There should be further improvement in the civil service in tune with the changes in the global economy. Absence of leadership and knowledge in various government departments is also a serious challenge to the transition of Kerala,” he added.