Vision for Economic Development in Punjab

Punjab economy remained a symbol of economic prosperity and a role model of economic development among the Indian states for more than three decades since the ushering in of the green revolution. The dismal performance of Punjab economy during the period of economic reforms relegated the state‟s economy from a leading to a laggard one. Punjab is now ranked at number seven among the major Indian states in terms of per capita income. Why has Punjab economy slipped to 7 th position and turned from a leader to a laggard? This question is intriguing and demands answer from well wishers, policy makers, political leadership and the scholars working on Punjab economy. Despite the recognition of the problem and attempts made so far, the reversal in the trend has not yet occurred. In this paper an attempt has been made to analyze the factors that are responsible for the slow progress of the Punjab economy. An alternative pathway in the light of this analysis has been outlined to rebuild and resurrect the economic development dynamism in Punjab state.