March 30, 2022

Why the State Government Needs to Demonopolise Alcohol Retail in Kerala?

The Kerala government has often emphasised its preference and commitment to empower women. The state has been at the forefront of various struggles against socio-cultural and patriarchal bonds that inhibit women’s freedom. Budgetary commitments to strengthen these struggles is a […]
March 26, 2022

Prohibition | Bihar’s alcohol ban is not working. It’s time a better policy was in place

Consumption of liquor, even in small quantities, may have dire health consequences but prohibition has never been an effective strategy to reduce consumption. Historically, prohibition has never worked, and was often found to have created negative externalities which in turn […]
March 7, 2022

Kerala Budget 2022: Why major reforms need not be expected

Rahul V Kumar & Dr D Dhanuraj Off budget borrowings through KIIFB, CAG reports and finally the acceptance of the state government indicates the dire financial situation of the Government of Kerala. The Government is desperate to generate revenue to […]
November 15, 2021

Will pubs be a game changer in Kerala?

The Left government wanted to correct this lacuna and have proposed setting up pubs with wine parlours inside IT Parks. Will pubs be a game changer as far as investments are concerned? Without more information about government plans on pubs […]
April 25, 2021

What Oxygen Surplus Kerala Tells Us

Kerala government has been hailed time and again for its various policies during COVID pandemic. The latest instance is for being the only state with a surplus of oxygen compared to other Indian states. The medical oxygen stock in Kerala […]
October 22, 2020

A Model to Understand State Action and Individual Responses during COVID-19 Pandemic

A major learning from the spread of COVID-19 in Kerala has been that the State restrictions have only ‘delayed’ the spread of the disease but were unable to ‘stop’ its spread. Was there a single best response scenario which would […]
April 6, 2020

COVID 19: A Time to Rethink Kerala’s Liquor Policy

Liquor dependence is not just a problem of the consumers in Kerala, but a problem of the State government too. Each time, during a crisis, and many times even without a crisis, any policy on liquor has often led to […]
January 29, 2020

The bad economics and bad politics in restricting imported liquor

Famous American economist Milton Friedman once commented that one of the greatest mistakes is to judge policies and programmes by their intentions rather than their results. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has come up with a proposal ahead of […]
August 10, 2018

Foreign Liquor in Kerala: A Story of Deceit?

The liquor trade in Kerala has always remained politically directed with little or no choice for consumers. Political decisions have shaped the trade for several decades. Business can thrive only when entrepreneurs are free to decide what benefits them most. […]
November 10, 2016

Understanding the Phasing Out of Higher Denomination Fiat Currency in India

The decision to phase out higher denomination currency notes in India is hailed by many as a bold move by the current Central Government. However, this moment should be considered as an opportunity to re-examine the inherent problems plaguing the […]
September 14, 2016

Why prohibition makes no sense; The Hindu Business Line, 12th September 2016

The reason why prohibition as a political tool evokes curiosity is that it has historically proven to be unsuccessful. Whether it is the case of the 18th amendment of the US constitution or the silently thriving industry in the so-called […]
August 22, 2016

Re-examining the roots of the stray dog menace

Discussion on Stray Dog menace is back in Kerala. Albeit, it has become a threat to the safety of the children and elderly. Rahul V Kumar, Research Consultant at CPPR on his blogpost discusses the negative externalities that would have […]
June 20, 2016

The Temporary Permanence of Alcohol Prohibition?; The Indian Economist, June 16, 2016

Prohibition as a public policy is being experimented once again across states in India. Alcohol prohibition (leading to complete ban) is becoming a popular political instruments to woo voters. This is hence the best period to further examine the policy […]
November 5, 2014

Can I grow a forest- No says the state!!

By Rahul.V.Kumar*   Owning Forest Covers, Engaging Individuals and Communities Evidence of the State’s Handling of Forest All innovative measures introduced by the state to tame the rapid degradation of forests in India has not been able to generate positive […]