This is a thread on the suggestions made by the Opposition Leader of Kerala, @chennithala to the state Govt. Equally applicable to most state Govts, in these testing times!
1/n

1. All newly created posts equivalent to Cabinet Rank be abolished forthwith, there by saving the salary and perks of those functionaries and their personal staff! 2/n

There are so many extra Advisors appointed at high salaries, to advise the Chief Minister. Either dismiss all of them or allow them to continue on a voluntary service basis, without any salary.
At least during these times, the CM can be advised by the Govt officers!
3/n

Dismiss the Administrative Reforms Commission (which is one of the biggest white elephants of Kerala, having consumed more than 7.5 crores already) immediately. 4/n

Discontinue the lease of an Helicopter from Pawanhans, entered at an exhorbitant cost. The service can be availed on a daily basis whenever a need arises(anyway, who is flying in these lockdown times)? 5/n

Discontinue the proposal to establish a Renaissance Centre at a cost of Rs 700 Crore! Right now, the priority is health and safety, and the renaissance charade in any case is already given up by the Govt. 6/n

Except under unavoidable circumstances, avoid all outsourcing contracts being given out to private parties through Keltron, Sidco etc. Through this step, the Govt can save 10 to 20% of the cost being given out as consultation fee. 7/n

Discontinue the practice of engaging senior Supreme Court lawyers to fight the cases. Instead engage able lawyers practising within the state (and at a fraction of the cost). 8/n

All Govt programmes, conferences, and seminars, which are not essential be stopped forthwith. 9/n

All non-essential foreign travels of the Ministers and officials be stopped. Even the domestic travel of officials be monitored and subjected to strict control. 10/n

Avoid purchase of all new vehicles. In case of emergencies, vehicles be taken on lease. 11/n

The exorbitant salaries being paid to KIIFB officials be reduced. All non essential post be stopped. KIIFB PR programme being run at a cost of Rs 12 crores be discontinued. 12/n

All unnecessary and wasteful expenditures being undertaken by Govt offices and public sector undertakings be stopped. 13/n

The outsourcing contract for maintaining the CM’s Website and Social Media accounts, at a cost of Rs 4.32 CRORES be discontinued and the task entrusted to the Public Relations Department.
(Seriously, Rs 4.32 crore for social media?!) 14/n

All Judicial Commissions (a useless diversion, anyways) functioning in the state under extensions beyond their initial term be dismissed immediately. 15/n

All non-essential office beautification projects and purchases be avoided.
(Let the resources be channelled towards fighting Covid-19 and the poverty that is sure to follow these long lockdowns. Luxuries can wait for the normal times to return)! 16/n

I hope Kerala Govt will seriously consider these practical suggestions and avoid regressive steps like Salary Challenge etc, which is bound to affect a lot of families adversely.
End of thread.17/17