The World Bank has released its first ever ranking of States on the ease of doing business in India. What is surprising, is the fact that Gujarat has topped the list. Also on the list are other BJP-ruled States occupying top five places. This shows a poor state of business environment in a number of States. The ranking was based on the implementation of a 98-point reforms agenda.
Given the foreigners’ faith in the World Bank, this ranking will be embraced whole-heartedly, even if it is flawed or biased. One would like to believe that the survey may have made mistakes, but is not politically motivated. Still, it should goad the laggard.
States will now have to catch up with the progressive ones, otherwise lopsided development will be inevitable.