The Malayalam State of Cochin, small as it is, has achieved a reputation for being in the ranks of the most advanced and progressive Native States in India. In one respect at least Cochin is distinctly in the leading position and that is in the education of its women, and it competes bravely with the larger and sister state of Travancore in the expansion of general education. Successive Dewans have administered the state funds carefully, paid off a substantial part of the liabilities and built up a reserve. According to the revised estimate, “the net surplus to the credit of the State at the end of 1093 (this year) will be Rs. 24,71,417 after providing for all liabilities against the State.” The coming year 1094 (1818-19) it is anticipated will open with a cash balance of Rs. 15,78,228 and close with a balance of Rs. 15,22,428 with a promise of a surplus of Rs. 25,23,517 to the credit of the State at the end of the budget year.
The war has affected Cochin adversely as it has other places and the prevalence of exceptionally high prices has occasioned a necessarily enhanced expenditure in all departments for material, and machinery required for Government use. The one item of special allowances to subordinate alone, to compensate them for the high prices obtaining, amounted Rs. 92,000. Provision has been made for H.H. the Rajah’s Shastipoorthy, the expenditure on which is likely to be heavy. Besides these extraordinary calls the newly constituted Department of Minor Industries, investigations into irrigational and industrial projects, and the probability of what may be called famine relief expenditure on public works have to be considered. The seasonal conditions are such that work for the poorer classes during the coming year will have to be provided. The educational budget shows an increase of Rs. 56,800 over the figures of 1093. The Darbar has not considered it advisable to interrupt the course of normal development of education and although the financial standing of Cochin may be considered satisfactory, Mr. W.H. Bhore, the Dewan, is apprehensive that at no distant date it will be difficult to reconcile the demands of a progressive policy of development with an almost stationery income.
