New Delhi: Gujarat continues to be one of the fastest growing states in India, but its growth may not be as as inclusive as Chief Minister Narendra Modi claims.
The Planning Commission notes that the state is one of the biggest contributors to the country’s gross domestic product. It states that in agriculture and allied activities, the average growth performance in the 11th Plan period was higher than what was achieved by the country as a whole.
But its performance in lifting people above the poverty line is not as good as other states. Gujarat saw 8.6 percent reduction in poverty while Odisha recorded 20 percent reduction in poverty in the same period. And the rate at which poverty is reduced among Scheduled Tribes and Muslims is among the lowest in Gujarat.
During a meeting to finalise the state’s annual plan for 2013-14, the Commission noted that Gujarat’s performance in the social sector lagged behind what could be expected of a high growth state. Of particular concern in this context was the child sex ratio, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition.
Between 2001 and 2011, the child sex ratio improved, but this included deterioration in about half of the districts offset by gains in others. As for malnutrition, evidence suggests its levels were higher than what the economic level of the state would warrant.
IANS
