What could be better than “Fat Tax” in Kerala?

For one more time Kerala is in the front pages of news. And, it’s again for a wrong reason.

This time it’s not the news about the missing people who are suspected to have joined ISIS, or the brawl inside legislative assembly or a sex scandal, or money scam, but it’s an all new tax – “fat tax”.

Yes, you heard it right. It looks like Kerala is going on the lines of some European countries which has implemented fat tax on products containing saturated fats, sugar, etc.

Tax to Steer People to Healthier Choices!
According to the officials, this tax is expected to deter people from eating junk food like burgers, pizzas, donuts, etc from chain restaurants. However, it’s evident that this story doesn’t hold water. It’s easy to figure out that it’s a short-term plan to generate additional income to the cash starved state treasury.

Tax is just a short-sighted plan

One doesn’t need a degree in economics to know that over taxation can be counterproductive.  My question is this – will this prompt people to make healthy choices or bring about a change in social habit?

If our state is too concerned about healthy eating habits of its citizens, then they should first tax people who eat Kerala style parotta. The ill effects of eating this delicacy made with white flour, is well known and reported many times in news media.

Instead, focus on long term growth plan

My hope or idea is this – it’s time our leaders look for a progressive plan to develop our state. Moreover, this tax is expected to bring a paltry sum of 10 crore to the exchequer. What’s the point of putting additional burden on customers, when customer spending is already on a low level.

Plan #1 Leap forward with a progressive step.

To understand this, take a look at the development plan and revival story of a city called Chattanooga in United States. At one stage, this city was facing a negative growth, degradation and rising unemployment. It was in that time, city planners chalked an ambitious revival strategy – they planned to provide super-fast Internet (1 GB download) connection to all households and business.  

The idea is simple. The fiber-optic fast Internet connection speed up business development and it further spawns all kinds of tech development in the community.

So, can Kerala think of this project? I bet any state or city can take a bold move, provided it has the will and foresight. Probably, it can achieve the goal by joining hands with tech giants like Google or other technology companies.

Just imagine if this plan is implemented in this state. Personally, I’ll be happy to browse at super speed when I visit my town. Also, it will be a joy to watch TED or Youtube videos without any buffering or I can download an entire movie in 1 minute. For business it will be lot easier to transfer large data files or work/test applications.

Plan #2 Build healthy society at the grassroots ( The Panchayat Level)

Here’s another plan which may sound like a utopian dream. Here it goes!

One reason I feel that men in Kerala are taking to bottle is that there’s nothing else for them to do in the evenings. There are very few places for people to rewind, or go for recreation. So, the easiest way to socialize is in a booze company. Also, to make matters worse, state is trying to restrict the distribution of booze, which is adding to an unhealthy frenzy in drinking. (Scarcity fuels consumption)

So, here’s a plan to bring a diversion. And, it goes like this.

Build Community Owned Mini Indoor Stadium

Plan is simple - build mini indoor stations in every panchayat ( small town level).  Now, Kerala has around 1000 panchayats and imagine each locality has an indoor place for sports and recreation activity.

Well, by no means it’s a small project. And, it’s definitely beyond the means of the state. So, the funding should be from public donation and private sponsorship.

Another key factor in success lies in its planned execution. For this, it’s pertinent to bring a strong leader who can articulate and get people’s approval. Also, keep politicians out of this project. Let the public take ownership of this project and make political parties as facilitators to this project.

Unfortunately in Kerala, first thing reaction to any project will be a resounding NO. Yes, the print media, T.V or opposition party will be happy to toe the negative story.

I don’t know how to convince the naysayers. All I know is that is that Kerala has lately turned into a big NO state. Everyone, from the man on the street to the leaders or the news media will try to clamp any project or proposal.

Turn No to Yes

If you want to see why it’s a lot easier to say NO, instead of yes, then here’re three blog posts by the visionary blogger, marketer and entrepreneur, Seth Godin.

( 1) The coalition of No
(2) Uninformed dissent
(3) On saying “no”. 

So, for any project to liftoff, it requires public approval and strong leadership. So, who will bell the cat? If it’s not in the right hands, it has every chance of becoming like the doomed express highway project of Kerala.

What will each indoor stadium achieve and how will it sustain?

The whole idea of building such a place is to create a vibrant activity centre where people ( both sexes and all age group) can indulge in a stress-free sporting activity, or engage in a sport or play a game with friends.

Also, there might be people who ask, why indoor, when we can use the outdoor space. The reason is Kerala’s has long summer season, which is followed by heavy rainy season. All these weather elements will disrupt an outdoor sporting activity. So, we need a facility which works 24/7, 365 days irrespective of rain or shine or any sort of bandh/hartal/strike.

So, what games are to be included in this indoor stadium?

Include only low-maintenance games such as table tennis, volleyball, basket ball, caroms, chess or mini football. This facility should be open from 5:AM to 11:PM and should be supervised by trained coaches.

To succeed, a well-planned financial plan should be implemented. The working cost must be collected from admission charges, donations and sponsorships. Also, each unit must harness solar power for energy.

Each panchayat ( local body) must work a plan to get sponsorship from companies ( sports, hospitals, etc ) and even tie-up with other cities or town in other parts of globe for sponsorship. Also, we can’t leave our NRI brothers and sisters who can contribute significantly to this project.

Apart from setting the facility, extra funds should be invested in an interest paying account. This should take care of the operating cost, maintainance and administrative cost.

So, what will the desired effect?

Imagine a facility build by people’s participation and where people from the community hang around to engage in a sporting activity. A community that trains together, sweats together, will bond together. ( tweaked a popular saying)

My hope is that it will prompt at least few homemakers to leave their prime time TV serials and meet for a friendly table tennis or carom match. Or, a group of middle aged men who will plan an evening football match.

If all things go as planned, such a facility can even produce stars like volley ball champion like Jimmy George or other football stars in this state. 

Also, each facility will have a canteen ( tea shop), a clean rest room and a conference room where social gathering like reception or meetings can be held. These additional facilities can generate secondary income from the facility.

Well, I have so much to add, but I leave the rest to your imagination.

End Note

How do we take this forward? Will this project ever take off? How will Kerala develop beyond the current growth? How can we make a society change its course?

Already, there’s a big brain drain in this state, and in most households are empty of youngsters. For, they are in various parts of the world working and sending remittance to this state. How long can we depend on this as a lifeline.

It’s time we embark on a change!