Kochi: Former Kozhikode District Collector and IAS officer Prashanth Nair said that Kerala’s administrative system is still not fully free from the influence of monarchy and colonialism. He was speaking at the session titled “Out of the System” at the Summit of Future 2026, organized by Jain (Deemed to be) University.
Criticizing the present administrative approach, Nair said that officials often blindly follow instructions from higher authorities, instead of prioritizing the welfare of the people. He stressed that what comes from the top is not always right and that governance must be rooted in public interest.
Citing the example of urban transport, he said the absence of private buses with modern facilities in cities is the result of systemic rigidity. According to him, a large section of the public is being denied better services to protect the interests of a few.
Nair pointed out that land reform laws framed during the feudal era continue unchanged, even though they are no longer relevant in the present context. He noted that despite repeated observations that mono-crop farming is environmentally unsustainable, authorities remain unwilling to amend outdated plantation land laws. This, he said, reflects the system’s resistance to change.
He further remarked that exploitative practices similar to ‘nokku kooli’ still exist in new forms within the employment sector. This becomes evident, he said, when examining whether welfare schemes meant for migrant workers actually reach the intended beneficiaries.
Emphasising the need for reforms, Nair said laws must evolve with changing times and governance should focus on people’s welfare. Development, he added, cannot be measured merely by the construction of large malls or buildings, but by the provision of essential and inclusive public facilities.
Responding to criticism about his language, Nair said that he consciously uses language appropriate to the context and audience of each situation.
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