Pratik Haribhajan Shinde, Manoj Murlidhar Pandkar
This research study tries to understand the
demographical, socio-economical, and geographical characteristics of
Maharashtra’s Marathwada Region and analyse regional disparity in the state of
Maharashtra, especially focusing on the Marathwada Region. It also investigates
the region-wise backlog position according to various committees formed by the
Government of Maharashtra and the role of the Marathwada Development Board in
the socio-economic development of the Marathwada region. This research paper
attempts to study the regional imbalance in Maharashtra state while discussing
the impact of the Marathwada Development Board on the development of the
Marathwada region. The relative socioeconomic backwardness of the Marathwada
region based on inter-regional analysis has been assessed based on selected
indicators like region-wise per capita income, the importance of agriculture in
the economy, industrialization, expansion of the special economic zone,
education, literacy rate, infrastructure, and health facilities. This study
argues that this region is characterised by heterogeneity. The proposed strategies
for growth take note of this heterogeneity and the disparity caused thereby
using various committee reports formed by the Government of Maharashtra,
including the Annual Reports of the Statutory Development Board, the District
Social and Economic Review, Reports on Regional Imbalance, and the Population
Census Abstract 2011.
Development,
Regional Imbalance, Statutory Development Boards, Socio-economic Development.
VOL.15, ISSUE No.1, March 2023