Law and order indicators are bad. In serious cognisable crimes like murder, rape and molestation and kidnapping, West Bengal’s figures are far higher than all-India averages. Equally bad are physical infrastructure indicators, even in instances where there is a 100 per cent Centrally-sponsored scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Despite PMGSY, the percentage of West Bengal’s habitations not connected by roads is higher than in Jharkhand. Per capita consumption of electricity is lower than in both Jharkhand and Orissa. Even in much-vaunted social infrastructure, barring some health indicators, West Bengal performs worse than many of India’s perceived backward states. Drop-out rates are higher and completion rates lower than in Orissa. The point to note is that this happens even when there are Central schemes and Central funding, as with PMGSY or SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan). That’s also true of NREGA. And West Bengal and Kerala are the worst implementers of the Right to Information Act. To compound matters, state finances are in a mess. Between 2003-04 and 2005-06, states had average surplus of 0.4 per cent, as share of GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product). West Bengal had a fiscal deficit of 5.4 per cent and revenue deficit of 4.0 per cent.

In Delhi-6, Vijay Raaz (police inspector) slaps Abhishek Bachchan when the latter refers to the former as a public servant. That’s symptomatic of many of India’s problems, since citizen interface is often with administrative machinery, not hallowed organs of the state described constitutionally. Every year, “Foreign Policy” and “The Fund for Peace” rank countries in a Failed States Index and India, while not a failed state, is surrounded by them. Lant Pritchett has coined the expression, Flailing State, for India, since while the head of institutions exists, the limb of implementation flails about. Such ranking aren’t done for India’s states. Were they to be done, West Bengal would be both a failed and flailing state.

... contd.