Bharat Bandh: Kerala loses Rs. 2,298 crore

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala suffered a production loss of Rs 2,298.24 crore during the one-day general strike. The loss was incurred because factories, commercial and business establishments were not functioning, and lottery and liquor sales were suspended. The transport sector was disrupted, bank transactions were suspended, and the tourism sector was paralysed.

Kerala's one-day gross domestic product is Rs 3,591 crore. Of this, there was no significant loss of activity in the agricultural, IT and health service sectors due to the strike. The loss was mainly in the commercial, trade and industrial production sectors.

Kerala has to borrow about Rs 2,000 crore for a month's expenses. The state suffered an equivalent production loss due to the strike.

Revenue Loss

(Amount in crores)

KSRTC........................................... 6

Lottery...........................................30.2

Liquor Sales..................................52

Tax Revenue..................................173.6

Although transactions and trade in sectors like lottery and property registration return to normal the next day, experts pointed out that the loss of production in other sectors is a permanent loss. The business lost during the general strike in previous years has not been recovered. Industry insiders have expressed concern that a strong strike situation will negatively impact Kerala's investment climate, tourism promotion efforts and brand promotion.