GUJARAT PARADOX

On one hand, the state showcases India’s most successful economic management and industrial expansion; on the other, it reveals stubborn deficits in human well-being

- Shivaji Sarkar

Gujarat supposedly the most prosperous state ‘and a dynamic economic model for the country sprunga surprise with a fast reshuffle through resignations of 16 ministers and swift induction of 25, 12 first-time MLAs, days before Diwali.

It may be indicator of the developments below the surface. The quick fix solution is necessitated also by a Gujarati belief that the fortnight following the Diwali considered inauspicious. Ina Congress-ruled system such reshuffles were not unknown. That's the BJP rarely do. Is it an indicator of a tempest?

The sudden resignation on October 16 of the entire Gujarat cabinet, except for Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is stated to be a strategic move to address administrative inefficiencies, counter anti-incumbency sentiment, and strengthen its position before upcoming local elections.

No strange is the phenomenal rise of Harsha Sanghavi, a Jain, as deputy CM, to hold the home ministry, so far, a domain of the CM. He is the sixth deputy CM since the times of Chimanbhai Patel.

Gujarat’s industrial strength, fiscal prudence, and infrastructure prowess routinely earn top ranks in national indices, Yet, beneath the veneer of prosperity, NITI Aayog’s data and other official reports reveal a troubling paradox: Gujarat’s economic progress has not translated into commensurate gains in human development. Recent data compiled by RBI reveals that MP and Gujarat have the lowest daily wages in India.