1 State Profile

Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 19

State Profile Chapter 1

While India has increased its per capita income in such as the free Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS) for
recent years through fairly sustained high growth rates school children, driven by the emergence of concerted
in income, its human development indicators still trail public action with its roots in social movements that
those of some countries with similar incomes. An sought to question and delegitimise social hierarchies
oft-cited example is Bangladesh which, despite lower and democratise public spheres have been critical
per capita incomes, fares better than India in various to this shift. Further, the case of Tamil Nadu clearly
human development parameters. It is in this regard demonstrates that investments made in social welfare
that States like Tamil Nadu within the country have need not undermine the growth imperative as it was
been hailed as a model in recent years for combining believed that such investments dried up resources for
relatively high growth with high levels of human productive growth-enhancing investments. In fact,
development. In fact, Tamil Nadu along with Kerala, is it would appear that investments in social sectors
likely to rank at the top among South Asian countries, driven by democratising collective action have led
with regard to attainments in health and education. to translation of such inputs into growth increases.
Dreze and Sen (2013), in their book, India: An Uncertain Importantly, the improvements in growth have
Glory, clearly highlight the progress that the State has allowed the State to mobilise resources that could be
made in various aspects of human development such channelled back into social sectors.
as education, health and poverty reduction. The factors
that drive this process and the continuing challenge to There are, however, challenges for such high
improve further therefore warrant attention. performing States in order to sustain and improve
upon their achievements. As the latest Global Human
The experience of a relatively advanced state like Tamil Development Report (GHDR) fears, high attainments
Nadu also offers lessons for other less developed ones can easily be undermined by natural and economic
in the country. Importantly, it also offers a window to shocks in an increasingly interdependent world. The
observe some of the inadequacies in the path traversed Report highlights the various vulnerabilities that
this far and hopefully help such States avoid similar have emerged on account of environment, financial
pitfalls. While the possible discordance between growth instability, political conflicts and unresponsive State
and development is now well recognised, there is a institutions.
growing realisation of the importance of institutions
Real progress on human development, then, is not only
that govern growth and distribution. In the context
a matter of enlarging people’s critical choices and their
of India, Dreze and Sen (2013) cite literature to show ability to be educated, be healthy, have a reasonable
how the institution of caste has inhibited growth. As standard of living and feel safe. It is also a matter of how
secure these achievements are and whether conditions are
Ambedkar has pointed out, caste is not a division of
sufficient for sustained human development. An account
labour, but a division of labourers that poses barriers of progress in human development is incomplete without
to mobility and access to resources. The process of exploring and assessing vulnerability (p.1).
rendering institutions more inclusive is therefore
critical to ensure growth and more importantly The Report observes that since 2008, there has been
to ensure that the fruits of growth are shared in a a reduction in the rate at which improvements in
broad-based manner. This is particularly important human development have taken place globally. It
in a context where investments in human capital introduces the concept of human vulnerability to refer
are seen to be critical to sustain a virtuous cycle of to the sources through which people’s capabilities
growth and development. Tamil Nadu has been a State and choices can be undermined. Women, for instance,
that is witness to a long history of social and political are more vulnerable than men. Similarly, the aged,
mobilisation against caste-determined hierarchies; children, casually employed and marginal social
and it has been pointed out that its relatively better groups are all subject to certain vulnerabilities in this
performance in terms of growth, poverty reduction regard. Then again, an inability to address capabilities
and human development can be attributed to such at one node in the life cycle can have repercussions
collective action (Kalaiyarasan, 2014). throughout one’s life cycle. Lack of education as a
child or of employment for youth, for example, will
Tamil Nadu is a State that continued to have poverty perpetuate long-term vulnerabilities. To address this,
levels higher than the national average even until the Report calls for a targeted intervention aimed
the 1980s. It is only since the early 1990s that we at specific vulnerable groups. In this context, the
witness rapid reduction in poverty and improvement Report emphasises “human resilience—ensuring that
in per capita incomes. As Dreze and Sen (2013) point people’s choices are robust, now and in the future,
out, the State’s investments in social infrastructure, and enabling people to cope and adjust to adverse
 20 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report
Chapter 1 State Profile

events.” Recognition of the multidimensional aspects aspects of human vulnerability as highlighted in the
of poverty is therefore essential to ensure such human Global HDR. Discussions of multidimensional poverty,
resilience. It also highlights the importance of putting social security policies and emerging vulnerabilities
in place institutions that can insulate people from accompany an engagement with the challenges for
future vulnerabilities. sustaining and improving current attainments across
various parameters of human development. The
The Government of Tamil Nadu has set high standards persistence of some important gaps and the need
for itself in its developmental endeavour. Premised on for special policy attention will be highlighted in
the idea of inclusive growth, the Vision 2023 document discussions in each of the chapters.
envisages six-fold increase in per capita incomes
in real terms to reach the level of current median Chapter 2 focuses on district-level disparities on various
income of the upper middle income countries and indices, such as the HDI (human development index),
also to attain a human development index comparable GII (gender inequality index), CDI (child development
to that of the developed countries by 2023.1 The index) and MPI (multidimensional poverty index).
document also anticipates a poverty-free Tamil Nadu The remaining chapters address specific aspects of
to be achieved by focussing on inclusive growth human development, such as employment, poverty,
policies that will assure productive employment for health and nutrition, education, gender aspects and
the marginalised and the vulnerable. Here it seeks to social security policies. The final chapter attempts
provide appropriate ecosystems for innovation and to highlight the over-arching challenges through a
an institutional environment for skill formation. With summary of important observations made in each
regard to skill formation, the Statement envisions chapter. In the rest of this chapter, we provide an
training and preparing 20 million persons over the overview of trends in demographic, economic and
next 11 years with attention to differences in schooling social development of the State.
attainments and corresponding opportunities for skill
development.
Some Trends in Tamil Nadu’s Development Experience
In terms of demand, the document places heavy
Demography
emphasis on the manufacturing sector, given its
employment absorption potential and availability Accounting for close to 6 per cent of the country’s
of employment for labour market entrants with population, Tamil Nadu’s population stood at 72.14
differential skill levels. In the domain of human million as of March 2011, which has gone up to 74.32
development, it seeks to provide quality healthcare for million in 2013. The decadal growth rate of population
all, universal secondary education, increase enrolment for the period 2001-2011 was 15.6 per cent, which is
in colleges (including vocational education) to over 50 higher than that of the previous decade (i.e., 11.19%
per cent, ensure hut free rural and slum-free urban during 1991-2001). Yet, the 2001-2011 decadal growth
Tamil Nadu, as well as an open, defecation-free and rate was lower, compared to that at the national level
garbage-free environment. (i.e., 17.64%). The decadal change in rural population
was 6.49 per cent and that of urban population was
The second TNHDR (Tamil Nadu Human Development 27.16 per cent, for the period 2001-2011, indicating a
Report) will therefore be a useful document to growing urbanisation of the State’s population. During
understand the progress that the State has made with the same period, the rural population grew at 12.3 per
regard to various parameters of human development cent and the urban population grew at 31.8 per cent at
and the implications and challenges entailed with all-India level. The State attracts a significant number
attainment of the goals set out by the Vision 2023 of in-migrants from other parts of the country, even
document. The second TNHDR also pays attention to though there has been a large-scale out-migration
from the State. In fact, according to Chandrasekhar
and Sharma (2014: 11), Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the
1. “Over the next 11 years, Tamil Nadu, given its factor only two advanced States that have a negative net
endowments and the combination of strengths and
opportunities, will aim to grow its GSDP at 11% or more per migration rate, i.e., more people out-migrate compared
annum—about 20% more than the expected growth rate to those migrating into the State.
of India’s GDP over the same period. Given the expected
increase in population of 15% over the next 11 years, the
increase in per capita income would amount to 6 times The population density is gradually increasing over a
over this period” (p.11), Vision Tamil Nadu 2023: Strategic Plan period of time. As per the Census 2011, the State has a
for Infrastructure Development in Tamil Nadu, Government of population density of 555 persons per sq km, which is
Tamil Nadu (2012).
 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 21
State Profile Chapter 1

much above the national average of 382 persons per sq and further to `447,944.00 crore in 2012-13. The real
km; the population density was 478 persons per sq km in GSDP registered a growth rate of 14.64 per cent at
2001, 429 in 1991 and 372 in 1981. Increasing population current prices and 7.29 per cent at constant prices in
density also produces negative externalities, such as 2013-14 (see Table 1.1).
sewage pollution and solid waste, affecting human
well-being if it is not backed by adequate investments The improved power situation and a good north-east
in appropriate urban infrastructure. Moreover, monsoon in 2014 are expected to significantly enhance
Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised large State in the economic growth in the coming years. Although the
country with 48.45 per cent of its population living in decline in real GSDP growth rate in recent years can be
urban areas. Rapid urbanisation leads to enhanced attributed to the influence of overall global recession,
human capital through access to better education Tamil Nadu economy is withstanding its impact better
and healthcare facilities, but it does also adversely than many other Indian States.
affect the quality of life due to various environmental
problems unique to urban areas, such as air pollution. During 2005-06 to 2013-14, Tamil Nadu economy’s
Sex ratio has increased from 987 in 2001 to 995 in 2011, average growth rate of real GSDP was 9.20 per cent
which is a good sign. While the sex ratio is favourable which is, relatively, a better growth rate, compared
in 16 out of 32 districts, it is however unfavourable to India as a whole. During the above period, the
in the remaining 16 districts. In 15 districts, the sex primary sector grew at 4.38 per cent, the secondary
ratio is below the State average of 995. The chapter on sector registered a growth rate of 8.42 per cent and
gender disparities in well-being discusses this aspect that of the tertiary sector was 10.48 per cent. Table 1.1
in greater detail. provides a comparative picture of Tamil Nadu’s growth
performance vis-à-vis other States.
Tamil Nadu’s slum population was estimated to be 2.8
million in 2011, which constitutes approximately 8 per A comparison of the nine-year (2005-06 to 2013-14)
cent of its total urban population (i.e., 34.90 million). average growth rate of real GSDP of some of the major
Around 18.88 per cent of Chennai’s population live in States in India reveals that Tamil Nadu has ranked
slums out of which 50 per cent live in dense slum areas; 5th among all the Indian States in terms of income
in 1981, the slum population was 13.8 per cent, which growth. Although the State ranked 9th in terms of
increased to 15.3 per cent in 1991 and further to 19.6 agricultural growth and 6th in terms of industrial and
per cent in 2001. The government has been concerned service sector growth, the overall rank is higher than
about improving welfare of the slum population that of individual sectors (see Table 1.2). This is due
by applying various measures, especially through to the consistent and strong growth performance of
housing schemes. For example, from 1971 until 2007, Tamil Nadu across sectors, which is a reflection of the
a total of 81,038 tenements have been constructed and diversified and resilient structure of its economy. The
handed over to slum households by the Tamil Nadu following sub-sections provide a sectoral overview.
Slum Clearance Board (TSCB) (Raman, 2011), and by
2010-11, the total number of tenements went up to Agriculture
1.05 lakh (in: www.tnscb.org.in/). Under the Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Around 40 per cent of the State’s population is still
35,270 tenements are to be constructed as integrated directly dependent on agriculture for its livelihood.
townships in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore at a The State has been divided into seven agro-climatic
total cost of `15,024.80 million. subzones for planning agricultural development. In
2004-05, agriculture and allied activities contributed
11.65 per cent to the NSDP (net state domestic
Economy product), which declined to 8.7 per cent in 2011-12.
Tamil Nadu is an economic powerhouse in India. During 2005-06 to 2013-14, the primary sector grew, on
From 2010-11 to 2013-14, Tamil Nadu has constantly an average, at 4.38 per cent (as against 3.96 per cent
maintained its status as a State with the second largest at all-India level). In the Eleventh Plan period (2007-
economy in terms of the size of real GSDP (gross state 2008 to 2011-12), this sector grew at 3.49 per cent as it
domestic product). In 2013-14, the size of its GSDP was recorded negative growth rate in the initial two years,
`480,618.00 crore in terms of constant prices (2004-05); especially due to bad monsoon. An important aspect
in 2010-11, the real GSDP was estimated at `403,416.00 of the State’s agricultural sector is the predominance
crore, which increased to `433,238.00 crore in 2011-12 of marginal landholdings therein (Table 1.3).
 Table 1.1
Growth Rate of Gross State Domestic Product at Constant Prices (Tamil Nadu)

Sector 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
22
Chapter 1

Agriculture 11.49 15.42 -4.69 -2.70 6.56 7.69 11.05 -13.04 8.22

Forestry and Logging 5.74 -0.54 2.82 -0.88 3.16 3.30 2.49 3.44 4.08

Fishing 43.04 1.95 -6.47 1.17 6.58 8.16 3.40 1.03 0.70
State Profile

Agriculture and Allied Activities (1+2+3) 13.26 13.24 -4.41 -2.29 6.35 7.47 9.95 -11.11 7.33

Mining and Quarrying -4.86 4.36 1.17 -1.78 9.30 3.13 13.15 5.96 6.01

Sub-total of Primary 12.12 12.76 -4.13 -2.27 6.51 7.23 10.12 -10.20 7.24

Manufacturing (5.1+5.2) 15.11 18.75 0.59 -1.31 29.18 12.31 1.42 1.12 4.58

Registered 22.07 24.06 -1.96 -2.44 41.31 14.26 0.75 0.90 4.58

Unregistered 4.37 9.18 5.82 0.82 6.91 7.59 3.13 1.68 4.58

Construction 16.19 4.45 18.61 5.31 5.18 22.49 9.24 -2.18 1.22
Tamil Nadu Human Development Report

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 2.06 3.62 -27.81 -74.31 22.36 38.71 13.75 151.04 -9.98

Sub-total of Secondary 14.54 13.62 3.90 -2.06 21.14 15.52 3.96 2.06 3.07

Industry (b+4) 14.08 13.44 3.86 -2.06 20.93 15.32 4.09 2.12 3.11

Transport, Storage and Communication (8.1+8.2+8.3+8.4) 12.40 13.56 9.35 15.49 13.87 14.13 7.53 4.41 6.73

Railways 4.22 7.44 11.47 17.62 14.19 -1.71 -14.13 0.46 0.46

Transport by Other Means (including storage) 10.57 11.31 7.14 7.57 8.23 8.99 10.97 2.86 7.55

Storage 4.60 22.09 9.35 5.28 22.73 10.38 13.19 -1.51 5.97

Communication 20.76 21.21 13.90 32.49 23.80 25.93 6.78 7.22 6.50

Trade, Hotel and Restaurants 16.28 20.58 4.30 3.66 4.50 13.22 7.68 2.76 7.33

Banking and Insurance 17.55 19.09 17.11 10.18 2.97 14.65 9.73 12.65 12.65

Real Estate, Ownership of Dwellings and Business Services 15.17 16.50 16.75 13.40 6.82 10.03 14.16 12.79 14.99

Public Administration 3.48 12.53 1.01 24.50 0.53 8.85 0.83 -4.46 5.76

Other Services 12.18 11.48 7.34 10.31 10.69 14.26 7.46 2.35 5.08

Sub-total of Tertiary (8+9+10+11+12+13) 14.02 16.57 9.33 10.56 6.90 12.80 8.77 6.05 9.31

Growth Rate of GSDP 13.96 15.21 6.13 5.45 10.83 13.12 7.39 3.39 7.29

Source: Computed from CSO data.

 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 23
State Profile Chapter 1

Table 1.2
Nine Year Average Annual Growth of GSDP and Sectors of Major States (2005-06 to 2013-14) at 2004-05 Prices

States Agriculture and Allied Industry Services GSDP

Growth (%) Rank Growth (%) Rank Growth (%) Rank Growth (%) Rank

Andhra Pradesh 5.11 7 7.88 10 9.73 10 8.21 8

Gujarat 5.36 4 9.58 3 11.45 3 9.75 3

Karnataka 3.43 13 6.13 15 9.08 14 7.25 15

Kerala -0.52 20 8.98 5 9.63 11 8.07 9

Maharashtra 5.34 5 9.16 4 10.07 7 9.31 4

Tamil Nadu 4.54 9 8.79 6 10.17 6 9.15 5

India 3.96   6.91   9.08 7.62

Source: Shanmugam, 2014.

Table 1.3 Another area of concern has been the decline in

Number of Operational Holdings in Tamil Nadu (2010-11) net sown area in the State. The net area sown had
witnessed a gradual decline from 56.38 lakh ha. in
Category Number of Percentage 1950s to 50.43 lakh ha. in 2008-09, and further to 49.85
Operational Holdings lakh ha. in 2011-12. Due to a boom in the real estate
Marginal (up to 1 ha.) 6266372 77.18 sector and land-use pattern changes taking place in
rural areas, the proportion of land put under non-
Small (1ha.-2 ha) 1181797 14.55
agricultural uses had expanded from 21.69 lakh ha. in
Semi-Medium (2 ha.-4 ha.) 502332 06.18 2007-08 to 21.73 lakh ha. in 2008-09 and to 21.80 lakh ha.
Medium (4 ha-0 ha.) 150570 01.85
in 2011-12. Although the net sown area had declined,
interestingly the latest estimates suggest that the
Large (10 ha. and above) 17365 0.21 State had achieved 10.33 million metric tonnes of food
ALL SIZE CLASSES 8118436 100.00 grain output during 2013-14, registering an increase
by 0.18 million metric tonnes over the state’s output
Source: Statistical Handbook of Tamil Nadu, 2013. in 2011-12. This is due to increased productivity of
certain principal crops being cultivated in the State
Approximately, 92 per cent of the farmers in the (see Table 1.4). The productivity of both cereal crops as
State belong to marginal and small farmer category well as pulses has increased by approximately 49 per
(Table 1.3). Fragmentation of land, despite increased cent between 2007-08 and 2011-12.
production and productivity in the agriculture sector,
poses a major challenge for achieving a ‘second
Table 1.4
green revolution’ in the State. Declining returns
to agriculture has been a disconcerting feature of Trend in Productivity of Principal Crops (kg/ha.)
agricultural development in the State, with cost-price
Crops 2007-2008 2010 -2011 2011-2012
differentials being one of the highest in the country.
Since large-scale or cooperative farming has the Cereal Crops 2571 3039 3848.72
potential to increase production and productivity in
Pulses 2125 2393 3163.86
the farm sector and establish better economic linkages
in terms of processing and marketing in the coming
Source: Statistical Handbook of Tamil Nadu, various years.
years, identifying and implementing appropriate
institutional arrangements are critical to not only
Policy measures to address vulnerabilities emanating
sustain or increase production and productivity in the
within the agricultural sector will be therefore
agricultural sector, but also to ensure better returns
critical for sustaining human development as well
for farmers in the State and thereby ensure better
as facilitating more balanced growth in the State. In
economic resilience in the long term.
order to promote a second green revolution, the State
 24 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report
Chapter 1 State Profile

government has proposed to initiate the following worth mentioning. Export earnings from the sector
measures, as mentioned in its Vision 2023 document: increased from `5,223 crore in 2001-02 to `46,791 crore
improving soil healthcare and increasing productivity in 2011-12, employing about 145,000 professionals
per unit area; providing access to quality inputs; directly. Tamil Nadu accounts for 23 per cent of the
bringing fallow lands under cultivation; increasing country’s total export earnings (Rajeev, 2014).
the cropping and irrigation intensity; promoting
micro-irrigation to increase water use efficiency;
Per Capita Income
massive farm mechanisation to meet labour short-
age; speedy transfer of information through ICT The real per capita income (2004-05 prices) of Tamil
(information and communication technology) enabled Nadu rose to `62,361 in 2013-14 (advanced estimates)
extension; strengthening and improving agriculture from `46,692 in 2009-10 and from `30,062 in 2004-05.
infrastructure including market infrastructure and In other words, per capita income has doubled during
paving way for market-led agriculture; and, raising the the last nine years. The State government aims to
income of farmers. increase the nominal per capita income by six fold
from 2010-11 level to `450,000 (US$ 10,000) in 2023
in line with per capita income of UMI (upper middle
Industry
income) countries. Although the growth of per capita
Tamil Nadu is the second most industrialised State NSDP is relatively high in comparison to many other
after Maharashtra, accounting for around 11 per Indian States and is also escalating fast over a period
cent industrial output of the country (2011-12). The of time, wide disparity in per capita income between
government is the major investor with 51 per cent of districts has become a serious developmental concern.
total investment, while that made by private Indian For example, the per capita income of Kanyakumari
investors stands at 29.9 per cent and by foreign district is four times greater than that of Perambalur
investors at 14.9 per cent (Kathuria, 2014). However, district. Out of 32 districts, 18 districts have per capita
in recent years, most investments have been from the income lower than the State’s average per capita
private sector. The major industries are automobiles, income (State Planning Commission, 2012). The
auto-components, light and heavy engineering, reassessment of per capita consumption expenditure
machinery, cotton, textiles, rubber, food products, at district level may, however, be a more revealing
transport equipment, chemicals, and leather and measure of welfare-level disparities. Unfortunately,
leather goods. The manufacturing sector has a unique district level data is not available.
diversity consisting of both modern (e.g., automobiles
and power-driven pumps) as well as traditional Importantly, this growth in the state’s income has
industries (e.g., leather and textiles). Compared to other been accompanied by investments in the social sector
States, the industries in Tamil Nadu are more spatially that has led to considerable improvements in poverty
distributed across all its regions (there are 27 clusters reductions and improvements in other aspects of
in 13 districts), with several of them being export- human development. In fact, in terms of per capita
oriented in nature. The industry sector contributed development expenditure comprising of expenditure
27.91 per cent to the NDP (net domestic product) of the on both social and economic services, the state ranked
State, with the manufacturing sector alone accounting second highest among all states in 2011-12 and well
for nearly 17.5 per cent of NDP in 2011-12. However, above the all India average.2
this share has been virtually stagnant between 2004-05
and 2011-12, with the construction sector increasing Poverty Levels
its share in industry from 9.69 per cent to 10.09 per
cent. Clearly, the decline in the share of agricultural In 2011-12, 15.8 per cent of the rural and 6.6 per cent of
sector and stagnation in the secondary sector has been the urban population in Tamil Nadu lived at BPL (below
compensated by growth in the services/tertiary sector. the poverty line). In fact, it is one of the larger States
with relatively low poverty levels. As far as poverty
In terms of FDI (foreign direct investments), Tamil reduction is concerned, the state has thus performed
Nadu ranks third at the national level. Between April very well especially given its high levels until the
2010 and May 2014, the Chennai region received FDI of late 1980s and early 1990s. Through various public
about `67,964 crore, accounting for 6.32 per cent of the policies and welfare schemes, the poverty reduction
total FDIs made in India during this period. Tamil Nadu strategies in Tamil Nadu have yielded pay-offs. For
has been a leader in attracting foreign investment into
the ICT and automobile sectors. The contribution of 2. Finance Accounts of the State Governments, Comptroller
ICT to the economy of Tamil Nadu in recent years is and Auditor General, Government of India, cited in
Panagariya et al. (2014: 86).
 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 25
State Profile Chapter 1

example, in 1993-94, the proportion of poor people in shown a sharp decline from 3.9 in 1971 to 2.0 in 1997
rural areas was 51.2 per cent, which has declined to and to 1.7 in 2007-2009 (SRS).
15.8 per cent in 2011-12. Indeed, the State gained 34
percentage point reduction in rural poverty during the
Literacy and Education
past two decades.3 Among social groups, the poverty
reduction is significant. The rate of decline in poverty Tamil Nadu’s human development achievements
among SCs/STs (scheduled castes/scheduled tribes) include substantial improvements in educational
was 2.3 percentage points per annum during 1993- attainments over a long period, backed with
1994 and 2011-12. During the period 1993-94 to 2011-12, investments made by both public and private actors
the incidence of urban poverty also lowered from (chapter on Literacy and Education). The achievements
33.8 to 6.6 per cent in Tamil Nadu, with a reduction on the education front are reflected in terms of
of 1.5 percentage points per annum. The chapter on significant improvements in human development
employment, income and poverty addresses this issue in the State. The literacy rate of the State has been
in greater detail. The Government of Tamil Nadu in increasing progressively over the years. As per the
its Vision 2023 document clearly lays out strategies 2011 Census, the literacy rate in Tamil Nadu stands at
for facilitating inclusive growth with a major aim to 80.33 per cent, next only to Kerala (with 93.91%) and
reduce poverty and inequality. Maharashtra (with 82.91%), and much higher than the
all-India level, i.e., 74.04 per cent. The literacy rates in
rural and urban areas are 73.8 per cent and 87.24 per
Health cent, respectively.
Tamil Nadu has been often highlighted for its strong
public intervention in the domain of healthcare, The State government in its endeavour for
leading to substantial achievements on the health Universalisation of Primary Education has invested
front. The LEB (life expectancy at birth) in the State considerably in education infrastructure, especially in
was 67 for males and 71 for females in 2005-06. The rural areas. This is partly reflected in the GER (gross
IMR (infant mortality rate) stood at 68 in Tamil Nadu in enrolment ratio) which has gone up from 95.73 per
1992-93, coming down to 48 in 1998-99, to 30 in 2005-06 cent in 2001-02 to 112 per cent in 2010-11. At the
and to 22 by 2011. The MMR (maternal mortality ratio) primary level, the gross enrolment of boys is 111.8 per
too has declined significantly. The MMR was 111 per cent and that of girls is 112.2 per cent for year 2010-11.
100,000 live births during 2004-2006 and declined to In the case of NER (net enrolment ratio) in 2010-11, it
97 during 2007-2009. The IMR in 2013 was 24 in 1000 stands at 99.60 per cent for all students; 99.57 per cent
deliveries, as against 48 at the all-India level. The for boys; and 99.63 per cent for girls.
U5MR (under-5 mortality rate) was 95 in the State in
1992-93 and declined significantly to 25 by 2011. Table 1.5
Gross Enrolment Ratio in Tamil Nadu, 2010-11
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 3 (2005-06)
reveals that the fertility level was 1.8 children per Gross Enrolment Ratio (Total)
woman, which was comparatively lower than the
Classes ST All Categories
all-India level at 2.7 children per woman. Indeed, the
fertility level in Tamil Nadu was the lowest among all Class I-V (6-10 years) 137 116
Indian States, except Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Goa Class VI-VIII (11-13 years) 88.9 85.5
which also achieved fertility level at 1.8 children per
women. Fertility rate decreased by 0.3 children per Class I-VIII (6-13 years) 119.7 104.3

mother between NFHS-1 (1992-93) and NFHS-2 (1998- Classes IX-X (14-15 Years) 53.3 65
99) and by 0.4 children per mother between NFHS-
Classes I-X (6-15 Years) 106.8 96.2
2 and NFHS-3. The fertility rate in rural areas (1.9
children per woman) was slightly higher than in urban Classes XI-XII (16-17 Years) 28.8 39.3

areas (1.7 children per woman). The CBR (crude birth Classes IX-XII (14-17 Years) 41.5 52.1
rate) for the State declined from 31.4 in 1971 to 19.3 in
Classes I-XII (6-17 Years) 94.8 86.5
2000 and to 15.9 in 2011. The CDR (crude death rate)
declined from 14.4 in 1971 to 7.9 in 2000 and to 7.4 in Source: Statistics of School Education, 2010-11.
2011. The TFR (total fertility rate) for Tamil Nadu has
In the domain of adult education, Tamil Nadu became
3. The information used in this section is drawn largely from: the only State in the country to have achieved its target
Kalaiyarasan (2014). in the ‘Saakshar Bharat’ scheme, by educating over
 26 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report
Chapter 1 State Profile

17.25 lakh adults. The State also has done very well in ultra-mega power projects of 4,000 MW each; thrust
terms of enrolment in higher education. According to for green power by maximising investments in wind
the provisional results of All India Survey on Higher power and solar energy so as to create incremental
Education (AISHE) 2014-15 conducted by the Ministry renewable generation capacity of 10,000 MW; and
of Human Resource Department (MHRD), the GER in significant investment in the transmission sector to
higher education of those in the age group of 18-23 create the required evacuation capacity with buffers
is 46.9 in 2014-5 for the state and highest among all for higher power generation capacity.5
major states.
The total length of major roads in the State stands at
Tamil Nadu has been very active in terms of ensuring 62,017 km at present. It includes 4,974 km national
greater social inclusion and quality of education, highways, 10,764 km State highways, 11,247 km major
through various innovative programmes, such as district roads and 35,032 other district and sugarcane
implementing nutritious meal scheme, introducing roads6. Including the rural roads, total length of the road
and strengthening ICT in the education sector, networks in Tamil Nadu is 272,252.61 km. The length of
introducing ABL (activity-based learning) and ALM the total surfaced roads was 216,352.37 km and that of
(active learning methodology), providing free bicycles the un-surfaced road was 55,900.242 km. Tamil Nadu
for schoolchildren, providing free laptops to school has therefore well-established road networks with
and college students and so on.4 a road density that is 2.5 times that of all-India and
hence contributes to a number of social and economic
benefits. However, one of the negative externalities of
Infrastructure
improved road networks is road accidents. In 2011, a
Sustaining and improving human development, and total number of 65,873 road accidents occurred in the
minimising vulnerabilities also require robust and State, where 74,245 persons were injured and 15,422
inclusive economic growth. The relationship between persons were killed.
economic growth and investments in infrastructure
is well known. The power sector in the State has an As for financial infrastructure, as of 2012-13, the total
installed capacity of 22,474.7 MW in 2015, as against number of bank branches in Tamil Nadu was 7,830,
13,084.75 MW in 2007-08. Another essential feature which constitutes about 7.5 per cent of the total
is that the transmission and distribution loss is number of bank branches in India. During this period,
comparatively lower at 18 per cent. Tamil Nadu is also the population served per branch stood at 9,946,
a leader in renewable energy in the country with an which is lower than the all-India level of 12,598. The
installed capacity of 8,533 MW which accounts for aggregate bank deposit was `401,182.00 and the gross
nearly 37 per cent of installed capacity in the state bank credit was `466,031.00. The credit-deposit ratio at
and 23.29 per cent of the country’s installed capacity the State level was 116.20, which was higher than the
for renewable energy. Efforts are also underway to all-India figure of 78.10.
strengthen distribution and improve quality of supply
to rural areas (http://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/ The water supply and sanitation situation in Tamil
documents/energy_e_pn_2015_16.pdf). As per the Vision Nadu is in a relatively better position compared to
2023 document, the energy demand-supply gap in the all-India status. Out of 94,614 rural habitations,
Tamil Nadu is fairly high. The energy deficit of the State 84,003 habitations (88.90%) have been fully covered
in FY (financial year) 2013 was around 17.5 per cent as with a water supply of 40 LPCD (litres per capita per
compared to 2.8 per cent in FY 2008, and peak deficit day) or more and the remaining 10,611 (i.e., 11.10%)
in FY 2013 was over 13 per cent. This energy demand habitations have been covered partially. At present,
gap poses an important challenge to sustained growth there is no uncovered habitation in the State. However,
of the State, which in turn could affect its human a lower proportion of the households have access to
development. The State government, having realised drinking water source, latrine and a bathroom within
the potential negative impact of energy demand gap their homes. Further in terms of sanitation, Tamil
on the growth, proposed to initiate certain long-term Nadu has been noted for relatively high levels of open
measures, such as setting up of an additional 20,000 defecation (45.7% in 2011), which is higher than States
MW of power generating capacity including two like Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

5. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/pdf/2012/TN%20VISION%202023_
4. For further details on various schemes on education,
Volume%20II.pdf.
please see chapter on Literacy and Education.
6. www.tnhighways.gov.in/about.html
 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 27
State Profile Chapter 1

In the case of urban water supply, Chennai region words, if people of the State are enjoying a greater
needs special mention. The total water demand in amount of non-market benefits from nature, then the
the Chennai metropolitan area was estimated at 848 current wellbeing measured by applying conventional
MLD (million litres per day), but the supply was 765 GSDP becomes underestimated; on the other hand,
MLD in 2010. The supply-demand gap was supposed if people are experiencing more environmental
to come primarily from groundwater sources. Around problems, then the currently measured wellbeing
6,530 deep bore wells have been dug at different becomes overestimated.
locations in the city to supplement the supply from
surface sources. In addition, Chennai Metro Water The State has 28,343 sq km of forest and tree cover,
hires private tanker trucks regularly to deliver water occupying 18 per cent of its total geographical area
to areas with less coverage, greater scarcity and more (130,058 sq. km). The State harbours rich flora and fauna,
slum population. For instance, about 6,000 tanker contributing to human welfare in many different ways.
trucks (with a capacity of between 10,000 and 20,000 The State is endowed with 5,640 species of flowering
litres each) were used to deliver 120 MLD of water to plants—the highest number of plant species among
different locations of the metropolitan area in 2004. all States in the country. The plant species include 533
At present, private trucks make around 700 trips to endemic species, 230 red-listed species, 1,559 species
deliver an estimated 125 MLD of water, purely on a of medicinal plants and 260 species of wild relatives
commercial basis (Venkatachalam, 2014). In rest of the of cultivated plants. In addition, the State is endowed
urban areas, over a third of the Corporations (12) and with 165 species of fresh water fishes, 76 species of
Municipalities (125) are provided with more than 110 amphibians, 177 species of reptiles, 454 species of birds
LPCD of water (www.spc.tn.gov.in/12plan_english/6.%20 and 187 species of mammals. The Western Ghats with
WATER_SUPPLY.pdf). In recent years, rapid growth of abundant flora and fauna acts as a global biodiversity
the private water markets is observed in almost all hotspot. The State has demonstrated its commitment
regions of the State. Even though the private markets to protect the environment and biodiversity resources
fulfil water requirements of the consumers to a certain by way of creating 10 wildlife sanctuaries, 13 bird
extent, quality of the water supplied is reported to be sanctuaries, a bird conservation reserve, 3 biosphere
poor. Tapping into alternate and more sustainable reserves, 4 elephant reserves and 3 tiger reserves.
sources and regulating the current system of water There are 1,175 ecologically important wetlands with
supply therefore require the state’s attention. a total water spread area of 1,615.12 sq km. Mangrove
forests in three locations—namely, Muthupet in
Thiruvarur district, Pichavaram in Cuddalore district
Environment and Natural Resources
and Kazhiveli in Villurpuram district, and coral reef
The natural capital stock consisting of various formations in the Gulf of Mannar provide support
environmental and natural resources is important to the unique biodiversity in the State. The State
for enhancing and sustaining wellbeing, health and accounts for 30 per cent of total bio-resources in India
livelihoods. Tamil Nadu is endowed with abundant and has a larger potential for promoting biodiversity-
environmental and natural resources. The natural based industry. Apart from biotechnology industry,
capital stock of the State generates four different types nature-based tourism has greater potential to improve
of ecosystem services namely, provisioning services conditions of the people in such regions—especially—
(e.g., food, freshwater, etc.); regulating services (e.g., if proper institutional arrangements are explored to
climate regulation, water purification, etc.); cultural promote eco-tourism. The total length of the coast
services (e.g., spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, etc.); line is 1,076 km, which constitutes about 13 per cent of
and supporting services (e.g., nutrient recycling, soil the country’s coast line as a whole; apart from being
formation, etc.). Changes in the ecosystem services do endowed with biological and ecological resources,
significantly affect human wellbeing in the State, even the coast line supports a large fishing population
though the causal relationship between ecosystem and generated 61.15 million tonnes of protein in the
services and its impact on human wellbeing has not year 2011-12. The State faces certain environmental
yet been adequately quantified. Since the estimation challenges which need to be addressed in the coming
of GSDP is silent about changes in numerous non- years. The State’s important water sources (rivers,
market ecosystem services and their impact on lakes and wetlands) that generate various types of
economic welfare, human development of the State ecosystem benefits are to be protected from several
measured by using the variant of GSDP may deviate negative externalities, such as dumping of solid and
from properly reflecting real human welfare. In other liquid waste and encroachment.
 28 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report
Chapter 1 State Profile

Water Resources irrigated suggest that surface water previously used for
irrigation purpose is now available for other beneficial
Water has become a key factor in determining
uses. Reforming the pollution control policies with a
growth and sustainability of Tamil Nadu economy—
greater role for incentive-based economic instruments
especially, its agricultural and livestock economy. The
is expected to generate significant marginal benefits
State is endowed with 3 per cent of water resources
in the economy. The government’s high priority to
of the country. The average annual rainfall is 945
protect water resources and to utilise available water
mm; the South-West monsoon (June–September)
resources more efficiently are reflected in the State’s
brings an average of 322 mm rainfall, the North-East
water policy, which includes promoting rainwater
monsoon (October–December) fetches 470 mm, and
harvesting, encouraging the farmers to utilise micro-
the remaining 153 mm of rainfall occurs during other
irrigation technology and strictly implementing
periods. The average rainfall varies from 865 to 3,127
pollution control measures in the industry sector.
mm among sub-regions, making water availability
and distribution naturally unequal. There are 17
major river basins in the State, acting both as a strong Other Resources
life support system and as a waste sink. The water
The State is endowed with a limited number of
potential of the State is 46,540 MCM (million cubic
mineral resources. Lignite, oil, bauxite, limestone,
metres) per annum, of which 22,423 MCM accounts
magnesite, mica and quartz are some of the mineral
for groundwater and 19,525 MCM for surface water.
resources that are found in different parts of Tamil
Intensive agriculture, rapid urbanisation and growth
Nadu. In recent years, sand, especially from the river
of industries heightened the demand for water in the
beds, is being mined and is supplied to the booming
State, which is expected to increase to 57,725 MCM in
construction industry in the State. Sand mining leads
2050 from the current level of 54,395 MCM. Around
to various kinds of environmental problems and
80 per cent of the utilisable water is being diverted
therefore, regulation of sand mining has been made
for agricultural purposes. There are 2,239 irrigation
more effective. However, a prerequisite for optimum
canals with a length of 9,747 km, 81 reservoirs, 41,127
utilisation of sand available in the State is to prepare
irrigation tanks, 315,000 tube wells and 1,505,844
a sand accounting system, which would indicate the
open wells—dug especially for irrigation purposes.
amount exploited every year, amount replenished
Erratic monsoons, declining storage capacity of the
and the final stock available. Based on the above
surface sources (such as, rivers and irrigation tanks),
information, sand mining activity can be regulated in
over-exploitation of groundwater in certain parts and
an environmentally sustainable manner in the future.
industrial and sewage pollution in industrial and
urban areas caused potential threat to the supply of The above discussion has highlighted the State’s
good quality water. In fact, ground water in 138 out of achievements in terms of growth, even while hinting at
385 blocks is found to have been over-exploited with some critical environmental and resource constraints
another 100 blocks in critical or semi-critical stages. to sustaining the growth process. Such constraints
Ensuring adequate water supply to meet growing are also likely to negatively impinge upon securing
demands as well as regeneration of water sources improvements in human development. The next
remains a critical challenge in the years to come. On the chapter addresses the State’s performance in various
other hand, factors such as conversion of agricultural aspects of human development and spatial differences
land for non-agricultural purpose, farmers abandoning in this regard.
agricultural practices and general decline in net area
 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report 29
State Profile Chapter 1

References Panagariya A., P. Chakraborty and M. Govinda Rao (2014). State

Level Reforms, Growth and Development in Indian States.
Chandrasekhar, S. and Ajay Sharma (2014). “Urbanization and New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Spatial Patterns of Internal Migration in India”, IGIDR
Working Paper No. WP-2014-016 Rajeev, Meenakshi (2014). “IT Industry in Tamil Nadu”, in
V.K. Natraj and A. Vaidyanathan (eds.), Development
Drèze, J. and A. Sen (2013). An Uncertain Glory: India and its Narratives: The Political Economy of Tamil Nadu. New
Contradictions. Princeton University Press. Delhi: Academic Foundation.
Government of Tamil Nadu (n.d.). Vision 2023. Raman, Nithya (2011). “The Board and the Bank: Changing
Kalaiyarasan, A. (2014). “A Comparison of Developmental Policies towards Slums in Chennai”, Economic and
Outcomes in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu”, Economic and Political Weekly 46(31): 74-80.
Political Weekly 49(15): 55-63. Shanmugam, K.R. (2014). “Finances of Tamil Nadu
Kathuria, Vinish (2014). “Industrial Development in Tamil Government”. Madras School of Economics. Mimeo.
Nadu”, in V.K. Natraj and A. Vaidyanathan (eds.), Venkatachalam, L. (2014). “Informal Water Markets and
Development Narratives: The Political Economy of Tamil Willingness to Pay for Water: A Case Study of the Urban
Nadu. New Delhi: Academic Foundation. Poor in Chennai City, India”, in International Journal of
Water Resources Development 31(1): 134-45.