While Kerala’s human development achievements are indeed noteworthy and could serve as a model of sorts for much of the rest of the country, the heavy shortfall in its production of the items of everyday consumption takes away from its overall economic performance.

Not amending the Act is one of the sources of the paralysis in economic policy today. It ensures that the government cannot expand its spending to battle the consequences of the spread of the coronavirus. Greater expenditure is required in four buckets, first for relief, next for the medical response, then for an aggregate demand stimulus and, finally, for ramping up the public health infrastructure.

Many MSMEs were struggling even before the pandemic reached India. GDP growth is the lowest in a decade, and MSMEs carry debt of Rs 69 lakh crore, 84% of which is self-financed or raised from expensive informal sources. Adding to this debt during a crisis would prove burdensome.

Looking at the pandemic and its responses through the gender lens is needed, if not for anything else then just to contain the pandemic...If we want to understand the gendered nature of the COVID and the pandemic, we need to collect gender disaggregated data.

Restrictions that are being imposed by the State, even if they are presumed to be necessary in the present circumstances, have deprived the right of people to their livelihoods, and therefore their Right to Life. Such restrictions would become unreasonable, arbitrary and unconscionable, if immediate steps are not taken to compensate the people worst affected by these restrictions so as to enable them to afford the basic necessities of life.