TN makes its way to top 5 states in HDI
All the top five states in HDI in 2001 -- Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Haryana -- recorded a gradual improvement in their position in value terms. However, Gujarat, which ranked 4th in 1981, slipped to the 6th position in 1991 and 2001 despite an improvement in its value terms.
Among the poorest performing states, Bihar was the lowest among 15 states, followed by Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. In fact, Assam joined the rank of the lowest five in HDI in 2001 after declining from rank 10 in 1981 and 1991. Uttar Pradesh which ranked 13 in 1981 declined to 14 in 1991 and regained its earlier position in 2001. Similarly, Orissa regained its 11th position after sliding to rank 12 in 1991.
However, newer problems face many high-ranking HDI states as growing urbanisation is leading to large-scale migration and slum growth, the handbook notes. The total slum population in different urban centres across the country is 16,565,459. In the five cities of Maharashtra, Mumbai and Greater Mumbai have a slum
