Economy of West Bengal
Special article
the economy of West Bengal
Ratan Khasnabis
Even after 30 years of Left Front rule in West Bengal, the state has lagged behind in a few economic indicators, this, despite better performance in agriculture. Agricultural growth rates have however declined in the last decade or so, the reasons for which have been elaborated upon. A gradual movement towards unorganised labour has characterised working patterns in the state and the phenomenon is studied, along with the conditions of living. In this context, the new economic policy of the Left Front government is critiqued. It is suggested that a policy that favours inclusive growth with greater emphasis on small enterprises should be followed by the government if it wants to sustain the gains made and address the shortcomings in the state.
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An earlier version of this paper was presented in the seminar “India Rising”, held in Turin University, Italy (810 November 2007). Thanks are due to the participants of the seminar for helpful comments on the earlier draft. I am grateful to Abira Roy for able research assistance. The usual disclaimers apply. Ratan Khasnabis (rkhasnabis@hotmail.com) is with the Department of Business Management, University of Calcutta.
Economic & Political Weekly EPW
n West Bengal, a coalition of the leftist political parties known as the Left Front (LF) rules the state since 1977. This is unprecedented in the political history of India. In no other province, such a phenomenon has prevailed. The coalition has faced seven general elections based on universal adult suffrage and in each election, it has won with thumping majority. In the assembly, today the LF has the support of 234 elected represent atives in a house of 294 members. Political stability notwithstanding, the state has not performed well in the economic front during the last 30 years. This is reflected in almost every measure of the economic prosperity. In terms of per capita state domestic product (SDP),
the economy of West Bengal
Ratan Khasnabis
Even after 30 years of Left Front rule in West Bengal, the state has lagged behind in a few economic indicators, this, despite better performance in agriculture. Agricultural growth rates have however declined in the last decade or so, the reasons for which have been elaborated upon. A gradual movement towards unorganised labour has characterised working patterns in the state and the phenomenon is studied, along with the conditions of living. In this context, the new economic policy of the Left Front government is critiqued. It is suggested that a policy that favours inclusive growth with greater emphasis on small enterprises should be followed by the government if it wants to sustain the gains made and address the shortcomings in the state.
I
An earlier version of this paper was presented in the seminar “India Rising”, held in Turin University, Italy (810 November 2007). Thanks are due to the participants of the seminar for helpful comments on the earlier draft. I am grateful to Abira Roy for able research assistance. The usual disclaimers apply. Ratan Khasnabis (rkhasnabis@hotmail.com) is with the Department of Business Management, University of Calcutta.
Economic & Political Weekly EPW
n West Bengal, a coalition of the leftist political parties known as the Left Front (LF) rules the state since 1977. This is unprecedented in the political history of India. In no other province, such a phenomenon has prevailed. The coalition has faced seven general elections based on universal adult suffrage and in each election, it has won with thumping majority. In the assembly, today the LF has the support of 234 elected represent atives in a house of 294 members. Political stability notwithstanding, the state has not performed well in the economic front during the last 30 years. This is reflected in almost every measure of the economic prosperity. In terms of per capita state domestic product (SDP),
References: Banerjee, A V and Ghatak (1995): Empowerment and Efficiency: The Economics of Tenancy Reform, mimeograph. NatiONal FaMily HealtH SUrVey-3 November 29, 2008 Third National Family Health Survey in India: Issues, Problems and Prospects Sibling-Linked Data in the Demographic and Health Surveys Religious Differentials in Fertility in India Premarital Sex in India: Issues of Class and Gender Violence against Women in India: Is Empowerment a Protective Factor? Household Deprivation and Its Linkages with Reproductive Health Utilisation Reflections on Wealth Quintile Distribution and Health Outcomes For copies write to: Circulation Manager, –S Irudaya Rajan, K S James –Sonia Bhalotra –Manoj Alagarajan, P M Kulkarni –Lekha Subaiya –Leela Visaria –K Srinivasan, S K Mohanty –Udaya S Mishra, T R Dilip economic and political Weekly, 320-321, A to Z Industrial Estate, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. email: circulation@epw.in Economic & Political Weekly EPW december 27, 2008 115