Not all benefits are always available. In the past, cooking gas cylinders for domestic purposes were supplied by the Centre with a subsidy of about half the price. Not only is there no subsidy now, but the price of cooking gas has gone up manifold. This is what will happen when the government moves from a policy of providing subsidies to a policy of subsidies have to be discontinued. The Kerala state government charges a fairly good amount as electricity charges. The water charge has also increased by three times. For all things, including the registration of land, the charges have not come down except for an increase. At the same time, despite increasing taxes and fees, the government is in a position to borrow money for daily expenses and even to pay salaries! A loan of Rs 1249 crore is going to be taken on the 19th of this month. This is in addition to the Rs 1,000 crore borrowed on October 30 and Rs 1,500 crore on October 24. How long can the government go ahead by borrowing like this?

If the government does not find new sources of finance, it will not be possible to pay salaries to the employees after some time. The strict stance taken regarding the expenditure of institutions operating with government assistance (grant-in-aid) is to be viewed in this context. In a circular, the finance department has clarified that salaries, pensions and other expenses in these institutions are not the responsibility of the government. The heads of institutions and departments have also been directed to give an affidavit that the government is not liable, if the employees approach the courts claiming a salary hike and arrears. Now, in case there is a favourable verdict and the government has to pay the money, it will be charged from the head of the institution.

There are about 200 grant-in-aid institutions functioning in Kerala state under various departments. Hundreds of employees also work in these establishments. Sahitya Akademi, Khadi and Village Industries Board, Chalachitra Academy, Lalithakala Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam, Bhasha Institute, Library Council, Human Rights Commission, Literacy Mission, Centre for Development Studies and Institute Of Children's Literature are some of the important institutions in this regard. These institutions are making small and big contributions to the society in their own way. The government has not said that the aid for these will be stopped in one go. It is necessary to continue the grant-in-aid until these institutions are self sufficient to make money on their own.

At the same time, these institutions, which have buildings and properties in locations in the heart of the state, should look for ways to find new sources of wealth. If the current rules stand in the way of it, it is the responsibility of the government to change them. One can't ask someone to swim after tying their hands. The saying is that when one door closes, another one opens. Those institutions will never try to grow on their own if they continue to suck only the mother's breastmilk which is the government's help. The government's new decision may turn out useful like the curse of Urvashi. Perhaps in the future, it will provide an opportunity for those institutions to stand on their own feet.