Mineral-rich states Jharkhand and Orissa grew at the fastest pace in terms of per capita income due to increased industrial activity, but were still far behind the national average of Rs 20,734 in 2006-07, Assocham said in its study on States' Performance in Per Capita Income.

The study said Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar remained earned the lowest per capita income with Rs 12,566, Rs 10,637 and Rs 6,610, respectively as the development plans are yet to take off there. The per head incomes of these three states grew at the slowest rates of 2.9 per cent, 3.1 per cent and 3.7 per cent in that order, the study added.

On an average, Delhiites pocketed highest incomes of Rs 49,1172 followed by Goans who earned Rs 47,507 during the year, even though their per head earnings grew at 6.9 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

Jharkhand, one of the two states witnessing fastest pace of growth in per capita income, has been receiving investment proposals in steel, cement and power sectors, and creating employment opportunities. The state registered a growth of 16.6 per cent in per capita income, which stood at Rs 14,990 during 2006-07, it said.