Figure 4 plots the EQI and HDI Scores of the States in Period
B. It is observed that while Kerala retained its position in the North-
East corner, no other State is placed in that region. Haryana, a top
performer on HDI front, had marginally improved its score on EQI but
still retains its position among the poor performers on EQI ladder. Punjab,
another top performer in HDI, experienced a decline in EQI score.
Looking at the South-West corner, we can see that while the EQI score
had declined for Bihar, it had marginally increased for MP and UP.
Moreover, Orissa maintained its position in the North-West corner, with
a marginal increased in its EQL AP and Rajasthan had improved their
performance both in EQI and HDI substantially. All the middle HDI
category States improved their performance in EQI during Period B.
Maharashtra fell back to middle HDI category and stood with Karnataka
(below the second quartile line). Broadly, the relationship between
EQI Score and HDI Score is found to be slanting N-Shaped owing to the
divergence in performance Oftoppers like Punjab, Haryana and Kerala.
Figure 4: HDI Score Vs. EQI Score: 1997-2004
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4.5 EQI and PCNSDP
Figure 5 plots the EQI Scores and PCNSDP of the States during
Period A, which suggests a convex relationship between the two. It is
observed that Maharashtra, placed in the North-East corner, is the only
State to perform equally well in both categories. UP on the other hand,
performed poorly on both counts. Orissa, despite a poor performance
in terms of EG (placed below the first quartile), had fared moderately
on EQI front. On the opposite end of this group there are Punjab and
Haryana, who despite being better performers in terms of EG (placed
above the third quartile), can be clubbed with UP in terms of EQI
achievements. Kerala and Karnataka, despite being toppers in terms
of EQI are on the other hand found to be performing moderately in
terms of EG. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were however mediocre in
both respects. It is observed that Punjab and Haryana had grown at
the cost oftheir environmental sustainability.
Figure 6 plots the EQI scores and PCNSDP of the States during
Period B, again indicating a convex relationship. Maharashtra still
maintains its top position on both counts. Bihar and MP on the other
hand can now be clubbed with UP at the other extreme. Despite
improvement in EQI Score, Orissa still remained at the bottom in terms
of EG (i.e., below the first quartile line). Likewise, Punjab and Haryana
maintained their location in the South-East corner of the Figure.
Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh had higher EQI scores, but are
placed among the medium income States. Interestingly, Rajasthan had
improved its position both in terms of EQI and EG. West Bengal and
Tamil Nadu, who more or less retained their positions, were the laggards