Is Narendra Modi's Gujarat Really Vibrant?
By siliconindia   |   Tuesday, 11 October 2011, 23:17 IST   |    15 Comments
Printer Print Email Email
page4
Employment and agriculture in the state are not in good shape either. The agricultural production has been declining steadily. From 65.71 lakh tones in 2003-2004, the agricultural productivity dropped to 51.53 in 2004-2005. A NSS (National Sample Survey) conducted survey of 2005 had revealed that approximately 40percent of state's farmers want to leave agriculture. Recent studies have also shown that in the last decade, agriculture and labor both suffered extensively in Gujarat. What about Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)? It is the same story! IMR in Gujarat was 69 per 1,000 in 1991 compared to 80 of India. While the national IMR became 58 per 1,000 in 2005, in Gujarat it became 54. So, while India on the whole really did really well to cut down its IMR, Gujarat's performance was not really inspiring. On the whole Gujarat is facing a great disparity in the levels of living conditions, between rich and poor poor, men and women, majority and minorities. Narendra Modi will have to look into these lacking spheres before he can really chant the slogan of 'Vibrant Gujarat'.