Bihar best performing state in terms of growth rate

Bihar is the best performing state in terms of gross state domestic product (GSDP) and per capita income growth, the Economic Survey for 2013-14 has said.

Presenting the Survey in parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saida few states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala, have also performed well above the all India average.

The survey shows some interesting results of inter-state comparisons of socio-economic development of select states based on available indicators and furnish some clear policy pointers.

While some states have done well in terms of growth indicators, they are poor performers in terms of other human development.

"Human development dimensions needs to be taken into account in formulating and implementing social sector programmes and arriving at criteria for development of funds to states," suggested the survey.

According to the survey, Maharastra and Haryana are at the top in terms of the absolute values of GSDP and per capita income.

The survey also said that Kerala is the best performing state in terms sex ratio and is well ahead of other states. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is distant second and third.

Bihar has the highest decadal growth of population and Haryana has the lowest sex ratio.

The survey also states that in terms of poverty estimates Bihar, which had the highest poverty headcount ratio (HCR) in 2004-05 moved to first place in 2011-12 with the HCR at 33.7 percent relegating Odisha to second place.

"Kerala (7.1 percent) had the lowest poverty followed by Himachal Pradesh(8.1 percent) and Punjab(8.3 percent)", said the survey.

"Infant Mortality rate (IMR) in 2012 was the lowest in Kerala (12) and the highest in Madhya Pradesh (56) followed by Assam (55), Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh (53 each) against a national IMR of 42", said the survey.