Growth and Distribution: Understanding Developmental Regimes in Indian States

Economic and political processes differ widely across states in India. Some states have seen rapid economic growth and development while others are facing economic stagnation. The differences in outcomes are thus attributed to policies specific to each Indian state. The state specific policies are shaped by the respective regional histories and politics. The nature of political mobilisation and resultant policy regimes set the path of development for the states. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have seen distinct political regimes over a half century. In both economic growth and distributive measures, Tamil Nadu has performed better than West Bengal. Tamil Nadu has indeed seen a faster rate of industrialisation. The process of economic development has been facilitated by social infrastructures such as education and health provided by the successive governments in Tamil Nadu. The public provision of basic goods has been sustained and kept intact through diverse political mobilisation from below. In contrast to Tamil Nadu, West Bengal took the route of land reform. Land reform has indeed produced positive outcome in terms of increased productivity and growth in agriculture. The State, however, could not sustain growth and missed the opportunities to development. The political regimes that came into being in West Bengal also did not allow any independent mobilisation from below to press for public provisioning of such basic goods needed for economic development