Finding development matrix for UP

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister’s reported decision to set up a policy advisory group to give an impetus to the development of Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state by many relevant indicators including population, ought not to be dismissed as an offshoot of political compulsion.

For, even if that might be, if that results in a concrete, workable development paradigm for the state which fares poorly on the scale of almost all social development indices, then that would be big leap forward for the country as a whole, given the size and magnitude of the state.

The only powerful argument against economic reform in the country is the gross deprivation of sizeable population in many north Indian states like UP. The relentless march of four south Indian states towards economic prosperity with considerable degree of social equity virtually lays bare the abysmal failure of states like UP, Bihar and MP in stark sunlight.

According to former Cabinet secretary BK Chaturvedi, who heads the advisory group, many ideas that have already come up regarding UP’s economic development, would be discussed and given a solid shape by the group. Its objective to lay down a clear road map for equitable development of the huge state, which has a population of 175 million that is equal to the population of whole of the European Union and three-fourth of that of the US.

To ask what is ailing UP is redundant. Governance in the state has been in a shambles. “Unless UP’s lawlessness is addressed head-on, there is no point in discussing how to develop the state economically. In a state where property rights are not respected, a climate conducive for investment can’t be created,” said Indira Rajaraman of National Institute of Public Finance & Policy.

The state which accounts for 9% of India’s land area has the dubious distinction of having 22% of India’s BPL families. On other social development indices like education and health also, the state invariably ranks much below the national average. “In a sense, Uttar Pradesh is ungovernable given its huge size. Ideally, UP should be divided into four separate states,”said N J Kurien, director, Council for Social Development.

What are the natural resources of UP that could be utilised for economic development? Unlike Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar, to some extent, UP is not a mineral rich state. However, it has rich water resources. UP is, therefore, best suited for agro-based industries — the state is the largest producer of sugar and a major producer of vegetables and fruit. Capital and labour-intensive industries can also be built in the state. Its textile industry can add capacities and give employment to tens of thousands of people.

UP’s gross state domestic product is projected to grow 1.25 below the national GDP during the Eleventh Plan period. Clearly, that is not enough for the intended mainstreaming of the state. Targeted and unwasteful spending for the social sector — the state faces a huge nutritional deficiency and deplorable standards of primary education— would catalyse economic turnaround of the state and help achieve sustainable growth.

There should be particular focus on social upliftment of the indigent people in the most backward region, Bundhelkhand, said Kurien. What is now being planned is a joint effort by the centre and the state government. Maybe, chief minister Mayawati’s might in electoral politics is complemented by the centre’s development agenda.