The four states in the south have performed better than the northern states on a variety of economic, social and political indicators, according to a report by the Bangalore-based Public Affairs Centre. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are doing better on human development indicators compared to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, it says.

The report says this was not the case half a century ago. The south has surged ahead only after the late 1980s and post 1991, when the government announced liberlisation of its economy.

According to the report, the southern states have also attracted much more investment than their northern counterparts. The findings of the report indicate that in the last two decades the south states achieved more success because of their stress on education, improving health scenario and an enabling environment in terms of governance for businesses to take advantage of the unfolding economic opportunities.

Read the full report here.
URL: http://www.pacindia.org/Members/megha/North%20south%20paper-final-Feb2010.pdf