"The top state in India in (terms of) economic freedom in 2011 was Gujarat. It displaced Tamil Nadu which had been at the top in 2009," said the report of 'Economic Freedom of the States of India 2012' which was released by former RBI Governor and present Rajya Sabha Member Bimal Jalan.
According to the report prepared by noted economists Bibek Debroy, Laveesh Bhandari, Ashok Gulati and Swaminathan Aiyar, Gujarat is followed by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
The economic freedom index, which is based on the methodology developed by Canada-based Fraser Institute, is an indicator of economic governance, state level reforms and inclusive economic growth.
Gujarat freedom index, the report said, has been rising fast and estimated at 0.64 points, much ahead of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh at 0.56 points. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have been placed at fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Narendra Modi-led BJP has been elected in the recently concluded Assembly elections for the third time.
According to the report, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar figured in the the bottom three in terms of economic freedom index for 2011.
The median score for economic freedom of all states, which had declined from 0.38 in 2005 to 0.36 in 2009, has improved substantially to 0.41 in 2011.
The biggest improvement has been registered by Madhya Pradesh with freedom index score rose from 0.42 in 2009 to 0.56 in 2011 enabling it to move up from sixth to third position. MORE
