Growth Story NDA versus UPA: Is Special Status of Indian States Justified?

As a sequel to an earlier paper, this paper considers the growth patterns of SDP (State Domestic Product) amongst Special and non-Special States. Using semi-log growth equations and a Convergence Index, the paper demonstrates that the state GDP of non-Special States has grown at 13.86% per annum while GDP of Special States amounts to 14.20% (ACGR). The Special States have converged with non-Special States at the rate of 0.29% per annum. However, the pattern of convergence was prominent during UPA1 and UPA2 while during NDA1 and NDA2, Special states have receded from Non-Special States. Special States grew faster during NDA 2 regime (2014 onwards). Thus the conclusion is that Special status is justified, especially during the recent NDA regime. The growth rate of former J&K State has been reasonably high, irrespective of whether it was NDA or UPA regime. This counters the argument of instability in J&K. During NDA2 former J&K States' growth was over 20% per annum for the period 2014-2016!!. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]