Wed Sep 18 06:23:00 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal’s Economic Performance Declines Sharply: EAC-PM Report
**New Delhi, September 18, 2024:** A new working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlights a concerning trend: West Bengal’s economic performance has been steadily declining for decades. The paper, authored by EAC-PM member Sanjeev Sanyal, titled ‘Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24’, reveals that the state, which held the third-largest share of national GDP in 1960-61, now accounts for only 5.6% in 2023-24.
The report highlights that while West Bengal’s per capita income was above the national average in 1960-61, its growth failed to keep pace with national trends, resulting in a decline to 83.7% in 2023-24. This puts it behind even traditionally laggard states like Rajasthan and Odisha.
The paper emphasizes the stark contrast in performance between the western and southern regions of India, which have outperformed other parts of the country since 1960-61. Notably, the five southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu collectively account for approximately 30% of India’s GDP in 2023-24.
The report also notes the strong performance of states like Delhi and Haryana in the north, with Delhi boasting one of the highest per capita incomes throughout the study period.
The EAC-PM paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic performance of Indian states over the last six decades, offering valuable insights into the factors driving regional economic disparities and the need for focused policies to address these challenges.
First Piper 