Progress slow in Karnataka – World Bank

Karnataka has come in for criticism from the World Bank for its failure to live up to its image as a “boom state”.

“Somewhat at odds with its image as a boom state, Karnataka’s overall economic and social development has been average and the state has a long way to go to catch up with neighbours like Tamil Nadu and Kerala”, said the World Bank’s Table Calendar 2007 that gives a brief snapshot of Karnataka.

The World Bank has, however, appreciated the decline in poverty in Karnataka while pointing at backward regions in northern parts of the State. But, the state was roundly criticized for its delay in addressing the problems of regional imbalances, besides the slow progress on the socio-economic front in comparison with its neighbours.

On Karnataka’s neighbours, the World Bank described Kerala as a “trailblazer” in social development for its success in achieving almost total literacy, curtailing population growth and reducing maternal and infant mortality.

The World Bank has also lauded Tamil Nadu for achieving substantial reduction of child malnutrition, raising elementary school enrollment and reducing child and maternal mortality.

Andhra Pradesh came in for praise in the World Bank’s table calendar for the sound systems of governance and political consensus around development agenda. The innovative interventions in Andhra Pradesh had also helped reduce the number of poor people over the 1990s, the World Bank calendar said.