Indian Journal of Economics and Development, Vol 6 (5), May 2018 ISSN (online): 2320-9836 ISSN (Print): 2320-9828 Growth vs. development: comparative analysis of Gujarat and West Bengal Debolina Biswas, Soumallya Das 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Gurudas College, Kolkata, India 2 Post Graduate students at Department of Economics, University of Calcutta, India debolina.biswas13@gmail.com, soumallyabantidas@gmail.com Abstract Objectives: To study the basic idea of whether growth is an end itself or one should look beyond growth. Methods/Statistical analysis: This study uses simple statistical technique such as calculating compound annual growth rates and various ratios to compare the growth and other development indicators of Gujarat and West Bengal. Findings: It has been found that Gujarat is always ahead of West Bengal in terms of growth and output. However, in terms of other developmental parameters i.e. education, health, and Human Development Index (HDI), West Bengal fared well. This study has also considered women development indicator and found that West Bengal is ahead of Gujarat except in women’s work force participation. These findings strengthens that the argument of growth is not an end in itself; growth in output doesn’t always necessarily ensure improvement of other development indicators. Application/Improvements: This study advocates adopting redistributive policies to ensure that fruits of growth are being distributed so that other development indicators also improve . Keywords: Growth, Development, Gujarat, West Bengal, Comparative Analysis. 1. Introduction Prior to 1970, Economic development used to be seen in-terms of economic growth. From the experiences of 1950s and 1960s, many developing nations have achieved high level of economic growth but failed to raise the standard of living of masses. This has raised the question regarding the narrow definition of economic development. Thus, around 1970s the definition of economic development went beyond economic growth and incorporated the idea of “Redistribution with Growth”. In the development economics discourse, the more modern approach considers “Development as a multidimensional process involving major changes in social structures, popular attitudes, national institutions, as well as the acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of poverty.” Sen’s capability approach also defines development as “Capability to function”. Sen (1998) argued that “Economic growth can’t be sensibly treated as an end itself. Development has to be more concerned with enhancing the lives we lead and the freedom we enjoy [1]. In the context of Indian economy, we are seeing the expectation of growing at a double digit is becoming enormous. This has increased in the post reform era where Economic Growth was considered as Panacea. However studies have shown that the high growth in the post reform era is dis-equalizing [2]. Apart from this, United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Report [3] reveals that low level of provision of education & health would lead to higher inequality on both social and economic front. In [4,5] pointed out that sufficient development in education and health parameters play an important part in increasing productivity,creatingincome,employment and raising quality of life for the people. 1.1. Objective: This paper is motivated by this elementary learning of development economics which unfold the dichotomy between growth and beyond growth. To answer whether growth is the sole indicator of development or there is more to it, this paper takes two different states Gujarat and West Bengal. Both the states have different socio- political history. One notable factor is that West Bengal is the only state in Indian continent which has witnessed continuous 34 years of left rule whose main agenda was to promote not only growth but equality among poor 1 www.iseeadyar.org