Market Forces Alone Not Enough to End East's Poverty

To achieve India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat@2047, it is crucial that all states and regions contribute to India’s development. Equitable participation in India’s growth story by all states will not only ensure greater social inclusion but will also support and nurture the country’s fascinating diversity.

- Rajiv Kumar

At present there is a visible distinction in the economic status and growth performance between the six southern states, viz., Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the one hand and the six north-central and eastern states—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal—on the other. According to offcial statistics, the per capita income in Goa is nearly 10 times that of Bihar. The average per capita income of the six peninsular states in 2021–22 was Rs 1.50 lakh in constant 2011–12 prices. The average of the six eastern states for the same year works out to be only Rs 56,000, or a third of their southern counterparts. The divide becomes even more marked when the seven north-eastern states are included. The differences in per capita income cogitate the lack of opportunities in these states; this is also reflected in the migration pattern of the population which is induced by the low livelihood earning opportunities. As per the last census, around 40% of the Indian migrants are from these six eastern states.

Similarly, most human development indicators, provided by the fifth National Family Health Survey show these to be at a significantly lower level in the eastern states when compared to those in the six peninsular states. This holds true for indicators like longevity, literacy, child malnutrition, women suffering from anaemia, etc. This results in a sharp distinction between the two sets of states in terms of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Nearly all the six peninsular states have an SDG score in the 70s, with Kerala topping the list with a score of 75. On the other hand, the six eastern states, on an aggregate, manage a score in the 50s, nearly 20 points lower than the southern states.