The EAC-PM in its recent working paper ‘West Bengal Economy since 1990: Output, Employment and Poverty’ has stated that the economy of West Bengal fell consistently during the least 3 decades. This paper was written by Sanjeev Sanyal where he raises issues relating the development of the eastern part of India.
Titled 'Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: From 1960-61 to 2023-24’, the paper pointing out that maritime states have comparatively appeared better than other states, the present work finds that West Bengal is not one among those better Maritime states. In 1960-61, the share of West Bengal in the total number of institutions‚ in the all India turnout was 10. 10% a performance that has reduced to 5% of the national GDP. 6% in 2023-24. In like manner, West Bengal’s per capita income was 127 per cent of the all Indian average in 1993–94. enior enrolments which had reached 5% above the national average in 1960- 61 is now 83. 7% in 2023-24 while the neighbouring states like Rajasthan and Odisha have better targets of 11% and 9% respectively.
This report pinpointing out that despite the fact that the economic scenario of Bihar has shown some improvements in the last two decades, still it is far behind other states. On the other hand the study depicts a marked improvement in recent years regarding Odisha.
Originally, the western and the southern areas are reported to have recorded a better performance with Southern states be Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu which in cumulative have been estimated to contribute about 30% of India’s GDP in the fiscal year 2023-24. It would be seen that except for these few states, the others reached new highs in their population only after the economic liberalisation of 1991; West Bengal, on the other hand, only worsened.
The paper also points out that the Overall Maharashtra share remained constant, Tamil nadu on the other hand registered an economic upswing post 1991 while West Bengal’s declined consistently.
(Input from PTI)
