Growth or development : which way is Gujarat going?

In this book, researchers from prominent academic institutes in Gujarat examine objectively the much talked about Gujarat model-the growth process in the state in the past decade or so. Apart from examining the validity of the theory and policy framework underlying the economic reforms in India, the book examines in depth the interpretation and implementation of this framework in Gujarat and studies the inclusiveness of the growth in terms of achieving development goals. This book goes much beyond the state-level analysis. It studies the role of the Gujarat economy in the context of the national economy as well as in comparison with the performance of other states' economies. Further, it analyses the dynamics of growth in the state, that is, the sources and process of growth, sustainability of growth, and its interaction with development goals. The book also highlights the growing disconnect between economic growth and development goals in Gujarat. Although there are some limitations of the neo-liberal policy framework in delivering inclusive growth, the focus of Gujarat on becoming the fastest growing state in the world and the most attractive destination for corporate investments has led the state government to make serious compromises with respect to development goals. In spite of being one of the fastest growing states, therefore, the state is lagging behind other fast-growing as well as slow-growing states in achieving inclusive growth. Contributors to this volume - Biplab Dhak (Masters from North Bengal University, MPhil. in Population Studies from International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai and PhD in Development Studies from Institute for Social and Economic Change, University of Mysore) is Assistant Professor at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna; Indira Hirway (MA, Delhi School of Economics and PhD, Bombay University) is Professor and Director at Centre for Development Alternatives; Sudarshan Iyengar (MA and PhD, MS University, Baroda) is Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad (founded by Mahatma Gandhi); Darshini Mahadevia (PhD, Jawaharlal Nehru University) is Dean and Professor at School of Planning, CEPT University, Ahmedabad; Sebastian Morris (MSc, IIT Bombay; Fellow, IIM Calcutta) is Professor at IIMA and Chairperson, Centre for Infrastructure Policy and Regulation, IIMA; Ravikiran Naik (MA in Economics, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune) is Research and Program coordinator for IDRC Think Tank initiative at Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Anand; Sunil Parekh is Strategic Advisor to prominent international industrial groups such as Zydus and Jubilant. He is Founding Curator for the World Economic Forum, Geneva, for Global Shapers initiative, and on the advisory board of several academic institutes, Technology Business Incubators (CIIE at IIMA), and industry associations; Jharna Pathak (MA, Sambalpur University and PhD, Gujarat University) is Assistant Professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad; Itishree Pattnaik (PhD from Hyderabad University) is Associate Professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research; Amita Shah (PhD, Gujarat University) is Professor of Economics and Director of Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad; Ghanshyam Shah (PhD, Gujarat University) has been National Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (affiliated to Centre for Social Studies, Surat) for two years 2013-15; Neha Shah (MA, MS University, Borada and PhD, SPIESR Gujarat University) is Associate Professor in Economics at L J Institute of Management Studies; Rajeev Sharma (BCom Gujarat University, Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Education, Pune and Post Graduate Diploma in Investment and Financial Analysis from Gujarat University) is Research Associate at Centre For Development Alternatives, Ahmedabad; Jeemol Unni (MPhil from JNU and PhD from Gujarat University) is Professor and Director of the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA); Leela Visaria (PhD in Sociology, Princeton University) is Honorary Professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad; P.K. Viswanathan (PhD, ISEC, Mysore University) is Associate Professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad.