Different strokes

In the last 15 years, the per capita income of states has moved in different directions. While the country’s economic growth has risen, all states have not kept pace with it.

A comparison of the income index of the states has some interesting revelations. The index of West Bengal has risen from 70 and 86 from 1980-81 to 1995-96. During the same period Gujarat rose from 106 to 123. But other states like Andhra Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir saw their incomes plummet.

Most of the weaker states except Rajasthan could not increase their growth. They could not even maintain the gap with the advanced states and fell further behind in income growth.