Read the following passage to answer the given questions. Some words/phrases…

Read the following passage to answer the given questions. Some words/phrases have been printed in hold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

In a welcome development, small cities and towns appear to be doing more to power India's growth story than big metros. Confirming this are the latest income tax statistics, which indicate that Tier II and Tier III cities like Patna, Lucknow, Meerut and Kanpur have far outstripped Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata in terms of growth in personal and corporate tax collections. In fact, Patna has seen as much as 95 per cent growth in personal income tax figures over the 2009-10 period compared to a measly 4 per cent for Delhi and 6 per cent for Mumbai. Such a shift towards growth driven by regional centres can help mitigate the problems ensuing from unequal development and, therefore, needs to be encouraged.

The current growth and development model centred on big metros is unsustainable. Having experienced years of economic migration, these large cities are literally bursting at the seams. They are left with creaking infrastructure -compounded by shoddy urban planning and poor civic amenities, all of which is reflected in the fast depreciating quality of life. Yet people continue to be drawn to metros due to the allure of better career prospects. The only way to reverse this trend is to have multiple growth poles spread across the length and breadth of the country. It is encouraging that many of the small cities showing robust economic growth are located in the backward regions. They could serve as magnets for intra-state migration and take the burden off traditional metropolitan hubs.

As emerging markets within the Indian economy, these small urban centres can become hotspots for new investment opportunities. Many outsourcing companies are already setting up operations in Tier II and Tier III cities to minimise their running costs. Conducive conditions need to be created to encourage India Inc as well as foreign investors to increasingly invest in small cities and townships. Crucial to this is creating sound infrastructure. There needs to be a significant number of quality schools and colleges to churn out skilled professionals to cater to the needs of emerging businesses. This in turn will have a positive trickle-down effect and galvanise the rural economy of the respective states.

In planning these new urban hubs, errors of the past that have given rise to chaotic and dysfunctional cities must not be repeated. Our metros may have reached a point of saturation. While they should by no means be ignored, pay attention to Tier II and III cities as well to continue India's growth story and make it more inclusive.

Which of the following indicators has been used to highlight growth?