‘Bimaru tag being misused by Montek’

It is economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia versus economist Ashish Bose. Ahluwalia, who is deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission, had said the concept of Bimaru (meaning sick in Hindi) states was not true now.

It is economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia versus economist Ashish Bose.

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Ahluwalia, who is deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission, had said the concept of Bimaru (meaning sick in Hindi) states was not true now. Bose, who coined the term in late 1980s, on Monday said, “The ultimate economist in the Planning Commission is not conversant with the modern theory of economic development which goes much beyond economic growth rates ...”

He was reacting to a report in HT on Monday, in which Ahluwalia had said the concept of Bimaru was not relevant because of reduced disparity between rich and poor states.

Bose told HT via email that his concept of Bimaru states was based on demographic and health indicators, not on growth rates. “Montek Singh Ahluwalia should not mislead the National Development Council and the Prime Minister. The aam admi is not looking for political statements but better health care ...In fact, Madhya Pradesh is the epicentre of Bimaru states.”