Most of the so-called "Bimaru" states can now do away with that designation as they have successfully topped the growth charts and are well above the national average, according to Planning Commission's deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The "Bimaru" acronym was coined by a demographer Ashish Bose in 1980s, to classify Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh states lagging far behind others and struggling to grow.

But, Mr. Ahluwalia reportedly said in the National Development Council (NDC) meeting on Thursday that the notion of "Bimaru" states has outlasted its relevance.

As per growth figures compiled by the Planning Commission, around a quarter (24 per cent) of the poorest states of India enjoyed a growth rate of 6.3 per cent from 2002 to 2008, considerably better than around 4.9 per cent between 1987 and 2002.

On the other hand, richer states, including Punjab and Haryana, have suffered a decline in their growth rates.

On 29 socio-economic indicators like education, population growth and gender balance, the inequality between poor and rich states has reduced.

On the national level, the Planning Commission has lowered its growth projection for the 12th Five Year Plan, from 8.2 per cent to 8 per cent.

This is the second time that the Planning Commission has dragged down its growth projection. Earlier in September, it had lowered its growth projection from 9 per cent to 8.2 per cent.