Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, blessed with stunning natural beauty, is a major tourist attraction. It has fairly impressive infrastructure in place and its economy is largely agriculture-dependent. The state also has mega hydro-electric projects.

The tentacles of corruption have Himachal too in its grip: the TI survey says it is 'Moderately Corrupt.'

Prem Kumar Dhumal is the state's chief minister.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is India's most industrialised state. It is also one of the richest.

It has a great mix of giant industrial units, well developed agricultural base, flourishing services sector, a fairly free market economy, and a booming financial, banking, and insurance sector.

The state is home to India's financial capital Mumbai, and to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. It is also home to Bollywood, the nation's Hindi film and television industry.

Although, a 'Moderately Corrupt' state, Maharashtra needs to weed out the menace to grow ever faster economically and on the human development index. Vilasrao Deshmukh is current chief minister of the state.

Punjab

Punjab has an impressive mix of industrial and agricultural economy. The hub of many a manufacturing unit, Punjab's mainstay is agriculture.

It is also ranked amongst India's richest states. Unfortunately, it is also has widespread corruption which has seen TI categorise it as being 'Moderately Corrupt,' something that should worry Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand was formed when it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh.

The new state has been trying to attract foreign and domestic companies to invest in the state by giving tax concessions. It has a very entrepreneur-friendly policy.

Uttarakhand is blessed with natural beauty that helps promote tourism. It also has many dams where it seeks investment to set up huge power projects.

Corruption here is comparatively low and it is categorised as 'Moderately Corrupt,' something Chief Minister B C Khanduri can take some solace from.

West Bengal

The economy of West Bengal, currently in the news due to the huge controversy over Tata Motors' small car plant at Singur, depends mainly on agriculture.

However, the Left-ruled state has been trying to break through the shackles of anti-liberalisation and aggressive workers' unions, with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at the helm of affairs.

The state has been trying to attract investment in the industries and services sectors, but the going has been slow and painful.

Being economically backward, the state becomes a hotbed for corruption. Yet, the menace is not as debilitating here as in some other -- and richer -- Indian states. TI-India survey says West Bengal is 'Moderately Corrupt.'

West Bengal, despite its problems, is one of the fastest growing states in India due to rapid industrialisation and a booming information technology sector. By the way, the West Bengal is also a power-surplus state.