Lessons from the Gujarat experience and appendices

Abstract

This concluding chapter draws common lessons from the three case studies, discusses the latest developments in the states and their likely implications, and speculates on how the promise of a changed approach to federalism that assigns an enhanced role to the states under the newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi might impact the future outcomes. The chapter argues that scholars need to give greater attention to the study of states to understand the process of development. This is particularly important in a large country like India in which many states house more people than most countries and where state governments wield considerable legislative and executive powers. The new Prime Minister has promised to give states considerable flexibility to amend the laws on the subjects under the Concurrent List of the Constitution based on the local circumstances. This flexibility will considerably enhance the legislative and policy space of the states.