Overall Best Performing Small State: Puducherry

With a more educated population that demands better services, an efficient public distribution system with a responsive governance system and a focus on health, Puducherry has surpassed other smaller states and union territories.

Farming and tourism are the two mainstays of its economy. Two out of every five residents depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Its beaches and French architecture make it an attractive destination for tourists.

Chief Minister M. Rangasamy is looking at the central government for Rs 225 crore funding for expansion of the airport to 216 acres in Tamil Nadu’s Villipuram district and 54 acres in the union territory, which is mandated to boost tourism. A film city and a theme park will also be built on a 100-acre site at Manapet beach in public-private partnership mode.

Puducherry is also looking to set up two mini fishing harbours, one at Pannithittu in Puducherry region and the other at TR Pattinam in Karaikal region. The union territory has 27 marine fishing villages, 23 inland fishing villages/habitations and a population of 95,467 fishermen.

Developed as an investment destination, Puducherry is rapidly developing infrastructure to attract business. This includes an initiative to convert the state into a power surplus sector. As of April 2021, Puducherry had a total installed power generation capacity of 380.43 MW.

Puducherry’s tax-free budget for 2021-22 was Rs 9,924.41 crore. Its GSDP growth is around 10 per cent, while the national average is 7-8 per cent. And economic health, as one knows, is the secret of the well-being of the residents of any state.