Regional Disparities in Economic Development : Policies and Prospects for Balanced Development

Regional disparities in development are universal. It has been observed worldwide over the period of time and India is not an exception. Taking into consideration the size and diversities in India, the state has decided to orient itself towards the goal of balanced regional development from the very beginning phase of planned era of development. In the Third Five Year Plan, it was stated that the major aims of planned development were balanced development of different parts of the country. In spite of policies and programmes, considerable economic and social inequalities still exist among different states of India, as reflected in differences in per capita State Domestic Product. This collection contains research papers that provide deep insights into the various dimensions of inter-state and intra-state economic and social inequalities in India. This book highlights the development disparities in the World in general and India in particular. While studying the regional disparities in India, the book mainly focuses on three sectors – agriculture and allied, industrial and social sectors. The trends of inequality, polarization and disparity are highlighted with regard to income, human development indicators, and agricultural production and productivity. The book identifies the factors underlying divergence in economic and social activity in India and also provides policy suggestions for bringing about more balanced and inclusive development in India. The novelty of the book lies in its rich analytical foundation and the use of sophisticated statistical and economic tools to determine the causes of disparities between Indian states.