CHAPTER 57

Like planning at the national level, regional planning also has the objective of accelerating the process of social
advancement of the community through the techniques of economic and social planning though the sphere of
influence of a regional plan is restricted to a given region or area of the country. Within the overall framework
of a national plan, regional planning is designed to formulate measures to assist the growth of certain regions
while restraining the growth of others (if that becomes necessary), assist the governments in examining the
regional implications of undertaking infrastructural developments, and lay down detailed plans for economic
activity in the different regions of the country.

Translation (Hinglish):
Jaisa ki national level par planning ka objective hota hai, waise hi regional planning ka bhi yeh objective hota hai ki
community ke social advancement ko economic aur social planning ke techniques ke through accelerate kiya jaaye,
lekin regional plan ka sphere of influence ek specific region ya area tak limited hota hai. National plan ke overall
framework mein, regional planning yeh design karti hai ki kuch regions ke growth ko assist kiya jaaye aur agar
zaroori ho toh doosre regions ke growth ko restrain kiya jaaye. Yeh government ko infrastructural developments ke
regional implications ko examine karne mein madad karti hai, aur country ke alag-alag regions mein economic
activity ke liye detailed plans tayar karti hai.

Highlights:

• Objective of Regional Planning: Accelerating social advancement in a specific region.

• Measures for Growth: Formulating plans to assist growth in some regions and restrain in others.
• Examination of Infrastructure Development: Assisting governments in planning infrastructure and
economic activities regionally.

**In this chapter, we shall attempt to explain the following aspects of regional planning:

• Conceptualisation of regional planning in the context of developmental efforts

• Magnitude of regional imbalances in India
• Regional planning policy in India
• Lack of genuine regional planning in India.**

Translation (Hinglish):
Is chapter mein, hum regional planning ke neeche diye gaye aspects ko samjhane ki koshish karenge:

• Developmental efforts ke context mein regional planning ki conceptualisation

• India mein regional imbalances ki magnitude
• India mein regional planning policy
• India mein asli regional planning ka abhav

Highlights:

• Key Aspects of Regional Planning: Conceptualisation, magnitude of imbalances, policies, and lack of
genuine planning.
• Focus Areas: Discussing the context, policies, and challenges of regional planning in India.

REGIONAL PLANNING CONCEPTUALISED

1. Natural resource planning. In the initial stages of its development in the 1930s, regional planning was
generally understood to mean natural resource planning. However, with the passage of time, the emphasis on
natural resource planning was reduced considerably as interest developed in planning for problem areas.
Translation (Hinglish):
REGIONAL PLANNING KI CONCEPTUALISATION

1. Natural resource planning. Apni development ke shuruati dino mein, 1930s mein, regional planning ko
aam taur pe natural resource planning samjha jaata tha. Lekin waqt ke saath, natural resource
planning par jo emphasis tha, wo kaafi kam ho gaya jab problem areas ke liye planning mein interest
develop hua.

Highlights:

• Shift in Focus: Initially focused on natural resource planning; later shifted to problem areas.

2. Regional planning for rural development. In highly populated developing countries such as India having a
predominantly rural base, regional planning should aim at developing rural areas through the establishment
of growth foci and through linking the different villages, service centres, growth centres, and growth poles in
an integrated manner. Different growth foci define different orders of human settlements. Lowest in the order
are the villages. Villages in an area are linked with one another through a series of linkages which are mostly
functional. Generally, there is a central village that provides some essential services to the cluster of villages
around it—services that the villages around are not able to provide for themselves. The central villages, in
turn, are linked in centres of a higher order, which may be a town or city, that provide higher-order services.
Such functional linkages can be traced to define a micro-region with a certain focal point. This may be termed
a service centre. Service centres are linked functionally with centres of a still higher order (growth points,
growth centres, and growth poles). Thus, we get a hierarchy of human settlements.

Translation (Hinglish):
2. Regional planning for rural development. India jaise highly populated developing countries mein, jaha
zyada tar rural base hai, regional planning ko rural areas ko develop karne ka aim hona chahiye growth foci
establish kar ke aur alag-alag villages, service centres, growth centres aur growth poles ko integrated tareeke
se link kar ke. Alag-alag growth foci alag-alag human settlements ke orders ko define karte hain. Sabse niche
order mein gaon hote hain. Ek area ke gaon ek doosre se ek series of linkages ke through jude hote hain jo
mostly functional hote hain. Aam taur par ek central village hota hai jo apne aas-paas ke gaon ke cluster ko
kuch essential services provide karta hai—ye wo services hoti hain jo aas-paas ke gaon apne aap se provide
nahi kar paate. Central village, apni baari mein, higher order ke centres (jo ek town ya city ho sakte hain) se
link hota hai, jo higher-order services provide karte hain. Aise functional linkages trace kiye jaa sakte hain jo
ek micro-region define karte hain with a specific focal point. Isse service centre kaha jaa sakta hai. Service
centres ko higher order ke centres ke saath link kiya jaata hai (growth points, growth centres, aur growth
poles). Is tareeke se, hum human settlements ka ek hierarchy paate hain.

Highlights:

• Rural Development Focus: Aiming to develop rural areas through linked growth foci and centres.
• Hierarchy of Settlements: Defining settlements through functional linkages from villages to towns and
cities.

The task of regional planning is to help us define this hierarchy and indicate what industries or activities
should be located at different levels of the hierarchy so that an overall development of all villages and urban
centres can be ensured in an integrated way at minimum cost in terms of money, time, and effort. It is only by
following this method of integrated development of rural areas that the problems of poverty, unemployment,
under-development and underemployment can be solved effectively. Besides, proper encouragement to cottage
and small industries (which is implicit in this method of development) will ensure the cultivation and
promotion of entrepreneurship within rural areas themselves. Naturally, in this framework, specific attention
will have to be concentrated on the building up of infrastructure, particularly transport network and channels
of communication. Unless these facilities are made available in ample measure, the locational utility of the
growth foci will remain largely unutilised and the impact on the hinterland will be marginal. This brief
discussion shows that in the Indian context, the basic task of regional planning is "the deliberate promotion of
growth centres as an instrument of rational rural planning."

Translation (Hinglish):
Regional planning ka kaam yeh hai ki hum is hierarchy ko define kar sakein aur yeh indicate kar sakein ki kis level
par kis industry ya activity ko locate kiya jaana chahiye taaki har gaon aur urban centre ka overall development ek
integrated tareeke se kam se kam cost, samay aur effort mein ensure kiya jaa sake. Yeh integrated development
method follow karke hi poverty, unemployment, under-development aur underemployment ke problems ko
effectively solve kiya jaa sakta hai. Iske alawa, cottage aur small industries ko proper encouragement dena (jo is
method of development mein implicit hota hai) rural areas mein entrepreneurship ko cultivate aur promote karne
mein madad karega. Naturally, is framework mein specific attention infrastructure build karne par, khaas kar
transport network aur communication channels, deni hogi. Jab tak yeh facilities ample measure mein available nahi
karayi jaayengi, growth foci ki locational utility largely unused rahegi aur hinterland par impact marginal hoga. Yeh
brief discussion dikhata hai ki Indian context mein, regional planning ka basic task "growth centres ko deliberate
tareeke se promote karna as an instrument of rational rural planning" hai.

Highlights:

• Defining Hierarchy: Defining industries and activities across various levels of human settlements for
integrated development.
• Integrated Rural Development: Solving poverty, unemployment, and underemployment through a method
that encourages small industries and entrepreneurship.
• Infrastructure Development: Emphasis on infrastructure like transport and communication for better
impact.

3. Regional planning for reducing regional disparities. Regional disparities exist in all developed and
underdeveloped countries of the world. In the developed countries, the task of regional planning is to ensure
that the rate of development of the backward regions is considerably greater than the rate of development of
other regions so that regional disparities can be narrowed down over time. The task of regional planning in the
underdeveloped countries is far more complex. Because of the widespread poverty and below-subsistence level
of existence of the vast majority of people in many backward regions of these countries, the task is two-fold: (i)
reduction of regional disparities, and (ii) ensuring at least a minimum level of subsistence to the majority of
people inhabiting the backward areas and living below the level of subsistence. The strategy of 'deliberate
promotion of growth centres' can go a long way in accomplishing the former. Once the different levels in the
hierarchy of human settlements are integrated and the different levels of growth foci (service centres, growth
points, growth centres, etc.) located in them according to the "functional (or 'linkage') approach, regional
disparities should reduce appreciably. However, solution of the second problem requires redistribution of
national income and wealth in favour of the poorer section of the population and initiation of a well-conceived
employment strategy.

Translation (Hinglish):
3. Regional planning for reducing regional disparities. Regional disparities duniya ke har developed aur
underdeveloped country mein hoti hain. Developed countries mein, regional planning ka kaam yeh hota hai ki
backward regions ka development dusre regions ke comparison mein zyada fast ho, taaki regional disparities
time ke saath kam ho sakein. Underdeveloped countries mein regional planning ka kaam kaafi complex hota
hai. Kyunki in countries ke bohot se backward regions mein widespread poverty aur subsistence level se
neeche ka jeevan jeene wale log hote hain, yeh task do parts mein divide hota hai: (i) regional disparities ko
kam karna, aur (ii) backward areas ke logon ko minimum subsistence dena. 'Deliberate promotion of growth
centres' ki strategy pehle wale task ko pura karne mein madad kar sakti hai. Jab human settlements ke alag
levels ko integrate kiya jaata hai aur growth foci (service centres, growth points, growth centres, etc.) ko
functional approach ke according locate kiya jaata hai, to regional disparities kaafi had tak kam ho sakti hain.
Lekin doosre problem ka solution national income aur wealth ka redistribution hai, jo poorer section ke
favour mein ho aur ek achi employment strategy initiate ki jaaye.

Highlights:
 • Reduction of Regional Disparities: Focus on increasing development in backward regions to reduce
disparities.
• Redistribution of Resources: Ensuring minimum subsistence for poorer sections and promoting a growth
strategy.

Magnitude of Regional Imbalances in India

Measuring regional disparities is a difficult task. Differences in per capita income are often highlighted to bring out
disparities in different States. However, aside from the fact that such a study reveals only inter-State differences in
the levels of income and says nothing about intra-State differences (i.e., differences in per capita income within
different regions or areas of a particular State), per capita net State domestic product alone is not a sufficient indicator
of development. Differences in industrial growth, disparities in agricultural growth, level of literacy in different
States, percentage of workers in manufacturing industries to total workers, total road length, infant mortality rate etc.,
can all be considered indicators for purposes of studying imbalances and inequalities in regional development. The
issue of assigning weights to different indicators has also to be dealt with. A number of scholars have tried to devise
composite indices of development for different States with the help of the above indicators and estimate regional
disparities in India. We are not concerned here with these estimates but it could be revealing to consider inter-State
disparities in terms of the following indicators:

1. Disparities in per capita income 2. Incidence of poverty 3. Disparities in human development 4. Disparities in
industrial growth 5. Disparities in agricultural growth 6. Urban population as per cent of total population 7. Per capita
availability of power.

Hinglish Translation: Regional disparities ko measure karna ek mushkil kaam hai. Per capita income mein
differences ko aksar highlight kiya jata hai taaki States ke beech disparities ko dikhaya ja sake. Lekin, is study se sirf
inter-State differences ka pata chalta hai aur yeh intra-State differences (matlab, ek particular State ke alag-alag
regions ya areas mein per capita income ke differences) ke baare mein kuch nahi batata. Per capita net State domestic
product sirf development ka sufficient indicator nahi hai. Industrial growth mein differences, agricultural growth
mein disparities, alag States mein literacy level, manufacturing industries mein kaam karne wale workers ka
percentage, total road length, infant mortality rate wagairah ko regional development mein imbalances aur
inequalities ko study karne ke liye indicators ki tarah consider kiya ja sakta hai. Alag indicators ko weight assign
karna bhi ek important baat hai. Kai scholars ne in indicators ki madad se composite indices of development devise
kiye hain taaki regional disparities ka estimation kiya ja sake. Hum yahan in estimates se concerned nahi hain, lekin
inter-State disparities ko in indicators ke through dekhna revealing ho sakta hai:

Highlights:

1. Measuring regional disparities is challenging.

2. Per capita income alone doesn't fully capture regional imbalances.
3. Other factors like industrial growth, agriculture, literacy, and road length are important indicators.
4. Assigning weights to these indicators is a key challenge.
5. Scholars have developed composite indices to estimate regional disparities.
6. The following indicators reveal inter-State disparities:
o Per capita income
o Poverty levels
o Human development
o Industrial growth
o Agricultural growth
o Urban population
o Power availability
Disparities in Per Capita Income

Regional Planning in India

Disparities in Per Capita State Net Domestic Product or Per Capita Income.

Table 57.1 gives estimates of per capita State net domestic product or per capita income for different States. This
table clearly shows that the States of Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra have continuously maintained a considerable
lead over other States. Maharashtra occupied the first place in 1960-61 but was pushed to the second place by Punjab
in 1964-65. Since 1964-65, Punjab occupied the first place and pushed far ahead of other States. Punjab has been
overtaken by Haryana in recent years. In fact, Haryana occupied the first position in terms of per capita income since
2005-06. In 2021-22, Karnataka occupied the first position, with per capita Net State Domestic Product of 2,65,623.
It was followed by Haryana with per capita Net State Domestic Product of 2,64,835 and by Gujarat with per capita
Net State Domestic Product of 2,41.930. Bihar was at the bottom with a per capita Net State Domestic Product of
47,498. The national average in this year was 1,48,524.

Hinglish Translation: India mein regional planning mein disparities ko samajhna mushkil hai. Table 57.1 mein per
capita State net domestic product ya per capita income ke estimates diye gaye hain jo alag-alag States ke liye hain.
Yeh table clearly dikhata hai ki Punjab, Haryana aur Maharashtra ne doosre States ke comparison mein hamesha ek
achha lead maintain kiya hai. Maharashtra ne 1960-61 mein pehle place ko occupy kiya tha lekin 1964-65 mein
Punjab ne isse second place pe push kar diya. 1964-65 ke baad, Punjab ne first place ko occupy kiya aur doosre States
se kaafi aage nikal gaya. Punjab ko recent years mein Haryana ne pichhe chhod diya hai. Actually, Haryana ne 2005-
06 ke baad se per capita income ke hisaab se pehla position liya hai. 2021-22 mein, Karnataka ne pehla position liya,
jiska per capita Net State Domestic Product 2,65,623 tha. Uske baad Haryana aaya, jiska per capita Net State
Domestic Product 2,64,835 tha aur Gujarat ka per capita Net State Domestic Product 2,41,930 tha. Bihar bottom par
tha, jiska per capita Net State Domestic Product 47,498 tha. Is saal ka national average 1,48,524 tha.

Highlights:

1. Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra have consistently led in per capita income.
2. Karnataka topped in 2021-22 with a per capita income of 2,65,623.
3. Bihar had the lowest per capita income at 47,498.
4. The national average per capita income in 2021-22 was 1,48,524.

Incidence of Poverty

Poverty in any society is considered an important indicator of economic backwardness. In India, poor are to be found
everywhere, but the percentage of population below the poverty line is not the same in all the States. The Planning
Commission's estimates of incidence of poverty in different States for different years are reproduced in Table 57.2.

According to the Planning Commission's estimates of the incidence of poverty given in Table 57.2, around 22 percent
of the population of India was below the poverty line in 2011-12. However, in certain States, the incidence of poverty
was much less. For instance, population below the poverty line was 8.3 percent in Punjab, 9.2 percent in Andhra
Pradesh, 11.2 percent in Haryana, 8.1 percent in Himachal Pradesh, and 7.1 percent in Kerala. As against this,
incidence of poverty was as high as 33.7 percent in Bihar, 32.6 percent in Odisha, 31.7 percent in Madhya Pradesh,
and 29.4 percent in Uttar Pradesh. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are big States. In 2011-12, these three
States together accounted for 44 percent of the total number of poor in the country. This implies that there is extreme
concentration of poverty in economically backward big States.

Hinglish Translation: Poverty kisi bhi society mein economic backwardness ka ek important indicator mana jata
hai. India mein gareeb har jagah milte hain, lekin poverty line ke neeche rehne wale logon ka percentage har State
mein alag hai. Planning Commission ke estimates ke hisaab se, Table 57.2 mein poverty incidence alag-alag States
mein alag years ke liye diya gaya hai.

Planning Commission ke poverty incidence ke estimates ke mutabik, 2011-12 mein India ki lagbhag 22 percent
population poverty line ke neeche thi. Lekin kuch States mein poverty ka percentage kaafi kam tha. Jaise, Punjab
mein poverty line ke neeche rehne wale logon ka percentage 8.3 percent tha, Andhra Pradesh mein 9.2 percent,
Haryana mein 11.2 percent, Himachal Pradesh mein 8.1 percent aur Kerala mein 7.1 percent. Dusri taraf, Bihar mein
poverty ka percentage 33.7 percent, Odisha mein 32.6 percent, Madhya Pradesh mein 31.7 percent aur Uttar Pradesh
mein 29.4 percent tha. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh aur Madhya Pradesh bade States hain. 2011-12 mein, in teen States ne
milke desh ke total gareebon ka 44 percent share kiya. Iska matlab hai ki economically backward bade States mein
poverty kaafi concentrated hai.

Highlights:

1. Poverty is a key indicator of economic backwardness.

2. In 2011-12, 22% of India’s population was below the poverty line.
3. States like Punjab, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh had lower poverty rates.
4. Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh had higher poverty rates.
5. Three large states (Bihar, UP, MP) accounted for 44% of India’s poor population.

Disparities in Human Development

For studying regional inequalities, disparities in human development are as much (if not more) important as
disparities in income. In terms of human development indicators, there are considerable variations in the performance
across States as is clear from Table 57.3.

In terms of human development indicators, Kerala is the best performer, witnessing a literacy rate of 94.0 percent,
female literacy rate of 91.98 percent, sex ratio of 1084 and infant mortality rate of 6. At the other end of the spectrum,
the worst performance on these indicators is displayed by Bihar (lowest literacy rate of 61.80 percent), Rajasthan
(lowest female literacy rate of 52.66 percent), Haryana (sex ratio of 879) and Madhya Pradesh (infant mortality rate
of 48 per thousand). What is important is that the BIMARU States, despite witnessing impressive growth rates,
continued to remain at the bottom of the distribution in terms of performance on human development indicators.
However, as shown in Table 57.3, the richer States are also not immune from poor performance on these indicators.
The two richest States of India Haryana and Punjab perform poorly on indicators such as sex ratio and female literacy
rates. This brings out the fact that per capita income is not an adequate measure of the economic and social progress
of a society.

Hinglish Translation: Regional inequalities ko samajhne ke liye, human development mein disparities utni hi
important hain (agar zyada nahi) jitni income mein disparities. Human development indicators ke hisaab se, States ke
performance mein kaafi variations hain, jo Table 57.3 se clear hota hai.

Human development indicators ke hisaab se, Kerala sabse accha performer hai, jiska literacy rate 94.0 percent,
female literacy rate 91.98 percent, sex ratio 1084 aur infant mortality rate sirf 6 hai. Dusri taraf, Bihar ne in indicators
par sabse bekar performance di hai (lowest literacy rate 61.80 percent), Rajasthan (lowest female literacy rate 52.66
percent), Haryana (sex ratio 879) aur Madhya Pradesh (infant mortality rate 48 per thousand). Yeh zaroori hai ki
BIMARU States, jo impressive growth rates dekh rahe the, phir bhi human development indicators par distribution ke
neeche hi rahe. Lekin, Table 57.3 se yeh bhi dikh raha hai ki rich States bhi in indicators par poor perform karte hain.
India ke do richest States Haryana aur Punjab, sex ratio aur female literacy rates jaise indicators par poor perform
karte hain. Isse yeh baat saamne aati hai ki per capita income ek society ki economic aur social progress ka adequate
measure nahi hai.

Highlights:

1. Disparities in human development are as important as income disparities.

2. Kerala performs best in literacy, female literacy, sex ratio, and infant mortality rate.
3. Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh perform poorly on human development indicators.
4. BIMARU States still lag behind in human development despite growth.
5. Rich States like Haryana and Punjab also show poor performance in key indicators.
6. Per capita income alone does not reflect a society's overall progress.
Information on Human Development Index (HDI)

Information on Human Development Index (HDI) for States in 1999-2000 and for the year 2007-08 has been
presented by the India Human Development Report 2011. Table 2.4 of the Report shows that, the top five ranks in
terms of HDI in both years are occupied by Kerala, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Punjab. At the other end of
the spectrum are States such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and
Rajasthan. However, what is significant from the point of view of long-term development is the fact that these States
have shown tremendous improvement in their HDI and its component indices over time, leading to a convergence of
HDI across States. This is clear from the fact that the coefficient of variation of the HDI for States in 2000 was 0.313
and this fell sharply to 0.235 in 2008. If we look at absolute changes in HDI over the decade, the conclusion that the
poorer States are catching up with the national average is strengthened. For instance, while all-India HDI improved
by 0.080 points over the period 1999-2000 to 2007-08, HDI for relatively poor States like Assam, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh, and Odisha increased by 0.108, 0.108, 0.090, and 0.087 respectively. However, among the relatively poor
States, the increase in HDI in Bihar (0.075 points) and Uttar Pradesh (0.064 points) was less than the national
average. But the relative improvement (that is, percentage change) in HDI in Bihar (at 28.78 percent) is greater than
the national average (20.72 percent). In fact, the percentage change in HDI is greater for the majority of States with
low per capita income than the improvement in HDI for India as a whole. According to the Planning Commission, in
the backdrop of widening regional disparities in terms of per capita NSDP in the first decade of the 21st century, it is
encouraging to observe convergence in HDI.

Hinglish Translation: 1999-2000 aur 2007-08 ke liye States ka Human Development Index (HDI) India Human
Development Report 2011 mein diya gaya hai. Report ke Table 2.4 mein dikhaya gaya hai ki, dono saalon mein HDI
ke terms mein top 5 ranks Kerala, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Goa aur Punjab ne occupy kiye. Dusri taraf,
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh aur Rajasthan jaise States hain. Lekin, long-
term development ke perspective se yeh important hai ki in States ne apne HDI aur uske components mein kaafi
sudhaar dikhaya hai, jiski wajah se States mein HDI mein convergence dikhayi de rahi hai. Yeh is baat se clear hota
hai ki 2000 mein States ke HDI ka coefficient of variation 0.313 tha aur 2008 mein yeh sharply gir kar 0.235 ho gaya.
Agar hum HDI mein absolute changes dekhein to yeh conclusion aur strong hota hai ki gareeb States national average
ke saath catch up kar rahe hain. Jaise, agar sabhi India ka HDI 1999-2000 se 2007-08 ke dauran 0.080 points improve
hua, to Assam, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh aur Odisha jaise relatively poor States ka HDI 0.108, 0.108, 0.090 aur
0.087 ke increment ke saath improve hua. Lekin, relatively poor States mein, Bihar (0.075 points) aur Uttar Pradesh
(0.064 points) ka HDI ka increase national average se kam tha. Par relative improvement (percentage change) ke
hisaab se Bihar mein HDI mein 28.78 percent ka improvement national average (20.72 percent) se zyada hai. Actual
mein, low per capita income wale zyada States mein HDI mein percentage change India ke overall HDI improvement
se zyada hai. Planning Commission ke hisaab se, 21st century ke pehle decade mein per capita NSDP ke regional
disparities ke badhne ke bawajood, HDI mein convergence dekhna kaafi encouraging hai.

Highlights:

1. HDI of States improved significantly from 1999-2000 to 2007-08.

2. Top ranks in HDI for both years are held by Kerala, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Punjab.
3. Poorer States like Assam, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha saw a larger increase in HDI compared to
the national average.
4. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh showed less improvement in HDI compared to the national average.
5. The percentage change in HDI for most low-income States was higher than the national average.
6. There is convergence in HDI, despite widening regional disparities in per capita NSDP.

Disparities in Industrial Growth

The initial distribution of industries in India was determined by the historical processes of growth reflected in the
interests of the British rulers. As a result, most of the industries got concentrated at a few centres. This pattern
continued in the post-Independence period as well. For instance, a study of 28 large-scale manufacturing industries in
India in 1950 showed the dominance of the Western region and West Bengal in the regional distribution of industries.
Thus, 34.60 percent of total productive capital was concentrated in the Western region while 24.65 percent was
concentrated in West Bengal, their combined share being as much as 59.25 percent. Taken together, the Western
region and West Bengal accounted for 63.03 percent of total persons employed, 60.41 percent of gross factory value
of output, and 63.95 percent of value added by manufacture.

Hinglish Translation: India mein industries ka initial distribution British rulers ke interests se reflect hote huye
historical growth processes dwara determine kiya gaya tha. Is wajah se, zyada industries kuch hi centres par
concentrate ho gayi thi. Yeh pattern post-Independence period mein bhi continue raha. Jaise, 1950 mein India ki 28
large-scale manufacturing industries ke study se yeh pata chala ki Western region aur West Bengal ka regional
industrial distribution mein dominance tha. Is tarah, 34.60 percent total productive capital Western region mein
concentrated tha jabki 24.65 percent West Bengal mein concentrated tha, aur unka combined share 59.25 percent tha.
Western region aur West Bengal ne milke 63.03 percent total employed persons, 60.41 percent gross factory value of
output aur 63.95 percent value added by manufacture ko account kiya.

Highlights:

1. Industrial distribution in India was historically influenced by British interests.

2. In 1950, the Western region and West Bengal dominated industrial distribution.
3. The Western region and West Bengal combined accounted for over 59% of total productive capital,
employment, and output value.
4. This pattern continued post-Independence as well.

Concentration of Industries in Certain States

This pattern of concentration has not changed substantially during the planning period despite all attempts made at
regional dispersal of industries. For instance, as late as 2004-05 the two States of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
accounted for 26.7 percent of 29.0 percent factory employment, of invested capital, 31.0 percent of gross output, and
28.0 percent of value added by manufacture. If the four industrially advanced States of Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are considered together, the true picture of regional concentration of industries is
explicitly brought into prominence. In 2019-20, these four States together (having 25.2 percent of total population
according to 2011 Census) accounted for 43.4 percent of total factories, 47.2 percent of total invested capital, 48.14
percent of gross output, and 48.5 percent of value added. The mere fact that about 44 percent of total factories, more
than 47 percent of invested capital in the factory sector, and about half of gross output and net value added is found in
these four States alone is a proof of substantial regional concentration of industries in the four industrially advanced
States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Hinglish Translation: Yeh concentration ka pattern planning period ke dauran substantial tareeke se nahi badla,
halanki industrial dispersal ke liye kayi koshishen ki gayi thi. Jaise, 2004-05 mein Maharashtra aur Tamil Nadu ke do
States ne 26.7 percent factory employment, 29.0 percent invested capital, 31.0 percent gross output aur 28.0 percent
value added by manufacture ka hissa diya tha. Agar hum Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, aur Tamil Nadu jaise
chaar industrially advanced States ko saath mein dekhein, to regional concentration ka sachcha tasveer aur zyada
dikhayi deti hai. 2019-20 mein, in chaar States ne (jo 2011 Census ke hisaab se 25.2 percent population ka hissa
rakhte hain) total factories ka 43.4 percent, total invested capital ka 47.2 percent, gross output ka 48.14 percent aur
value added ka 48.5 percent hissa diya. Yeh fact ki lagbhag 44 percent total factories, 47 percent invested capital aur
50 percent gross output aur net value added sirf in chaar States mein hai, yeh industries ke regional concentration ka
solid proof hai.

Highlights:

1. The concentration of industries in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu remains high despite
efforts for regional dispersal.
2. In 2019-20, these four States accounted for nearly 44% of total factories and 47% of invested capital in the
factory sector.
3. This concentration highlights significant regional disparities in industrial growth across India.
Disparities in Agricultural Development

As far as the agricultural sector is concerned, regional disparities have increased over time with the States of Punjab
and Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh pushing well ahead of others. This is due to the reason that the success of the
programme of High Yielding Varieties of seeds (known as HYVP or New Agricultural Strategy) was largely limited
to wheat-growing areas. In fact, due to HYVP, the combined share of Punjab and Haryana in total output of food
grains rose from 7.5 percent in 1964-65 to 14.1 percent in 2021-22, while these States account for merely 4.4 percent
of the country's population (as per 2011 Census). In 2021-22, productivity of food grains in Punjab was 4,213 kgs per
hectare, which was almost twice the national average of 2,419 kgs per hectare. Productivity of food grains in Haryana
was 1,864 kgs per hectare. Disparities in this respect would be clear from the fact that productivity of food grains in
the third-ranked State of Kerala in 2021-22 was only 3,199 kgs per hectare. The prosperity of Punjab and Haryana is
largely due to irrigation facilities and high fertilizer consumption per hectare of cropped area. In Punjab and Haryana,
in 2015-16, gross irrigated area as a percentage of gross sown area was 98.6 percent and 91.4 percent respectively, as
against the all-India average of 49 percent.

Likewise, fertilizer consumption per hectare of cropped area in 2020-21 was 246.71 kgs in Punjab and 221.02 kgs per
hectare in Haryana, as against the national average of 137.15 kgs in the same year.

Hinglish Translation: Agricultural sector ki baat karein, to regional disparities waqt ke saath badhi hain, jahan
Punjab aur Haryana ke States aur Uttar Pradesh ke kuch hisson ne doosre States se kaafi aage badh chuke hain. Yeh
isliye hai kyunki High Yielding Varieties of seeds (HYVP ya New Agricultural Strategy) ka success primarily wheat
growing areas tak hi limited raha. Actually, HYVP ke wajah se, Punjab aur Haryana ka total food grains output mein
combined share 1964-65 mein 7.5 percent se badh kar 2021-22 mein 14.1 percent ho gaya, jabki yeh States country ki
population ka sirf 4.4 percent hain (2011 Census ke hisaab se). 2021-22 mein, Punjab mein food grains ki
productivity 4,213 kgs per hectare thi, jo ki national average (2,419 kgs per hectare) se lagbhag double thi. Haryana
mein food grains ki productivity 1,864 kgs per hectare thi. Is disparity ko samjhne ke liye, Kerala State, jo third-
ranked tha, uski food grains productivity 2021-22 mein sirf 3,199 kgs per hectare thi. Punjab aur Haryana ki
prosperity kaafi had tak irrigation facilities aur high fertilizer consumption per hectare par depend hai. Punjab aur
Haryana mein, 2015-16 mein, gross irrigated area as a percentage of gross sown area 98.6 percent aur 91.4 percent
thi, jo all-India average (49 percent) ke comparison mein kaafi zyada thi.

Waise hi, 2020-21 mein, fertilizer consumption per hectare of cropped area Punjab mein 246.71 kgs aur Haryana
mein 221.02 kgs thi, jabki national average 137.15 kgs thi.

Highlights:

1. Regional disparities in agriculture have increased, with Punjab and Haryana performing much better than
other states.
2. The success of the High Yielding Varieties Programme has largely benefited wheat-growing areas like Punjab
and Haryana.
3. Productivity in Punjab and Haryana is almost double the national average.
4. Irrigation and fertilizer consumption play a significant role in agricultural prosperity in these States.

Other Indicators of Disparities

In addition to disparities in per capita income, growth rates, various dimensions of human development, incidence of
poverty, industrial growth, and agricultural development, it is necessary to consider regional disparities in other areas
of development as well. From this point of view, the indicators chosen are urban population as percent of total
population in 2011, domestic electricity consumption per capita, and per capita bank deposits. Let us now consider
each one of them briefly.

Urbanisation is a part of the development process. Therefore, the percentage of urban population is normally high in
relatively developed regions. In India, the proportion of urban population to total population was higher in the States
of Maharashtra (45.2 percent), Tamil Nadu (48.4 percent), Gujarat (42.6 percent), Karnataka (38.6 percent), Punjab
(37.5 percent) in 2011 than that at the all-India level (31.2 percent). In terms of urbanisation, even otherwise
underdeveloped States like Odisha (16.7 percent), Bihar (11.3 percent), Assam (14.1 percent), Himachal Pradesh
(10.0 percent), and Uttar Pradesh (22.3 percent) ranked quite low.

Disparities in per capita availability of power are quite large. The per capita availability of power was 2,105.6 kwh
per capita in Punjab, 1,401.4 kwh per capita in Tamil Nadu, and 1,344.7 kwh per capita in Maharashtra in 2020-21,
while it was only 618.1 kwh per capita in Uttar Pradesh and only 322.7 kwh per capita in Bihar (the national average
in this year was 1,031.4 kwh per capita).

Hinglish Translation: Per capita income, growth rates, human development dimensions, poverty, industrial growth
aur agricultural development ke disparities ke alawa, dusre development areas mein bhi regional disparities ko
consider karna zaroori hai. Is perspective se, jo indicators choose kiye gaye hain, unmein urban population as percent
of total population (2011), domestic electricity consumption per capita, aur per capita bank deposits shamil hain. Ab
hum inhe briefly consider karte hain.

Urbanisation development process ka ek part hai. Isliye, urban population ka percentage normally developed regions
mein zyada hota hai. India mein, 2011 mein urban population ka proportion Maharashtra (45.2 percent), Tamil Nadu
(48.4 percent), Gujarat (42.6 percent), Karnataka (38.6 percent), Punjab (37.5 percent) mein all-India level (31.2
percent) se zyada tha. Urbanisation ke terms mein, even underdeveloped States jaise Odisha (16.7 percent), Bihar
(11.3 percent), Assam (14.1 percent), Himachal Pradesh (10.0 percent), aur Uttar Pradesh (22.3 percent) ka ranking
kaafi low thi.

Power ki per capita availability mein bhi kaafi disparities hain. 2020-21 mein, Punjab mein per capita power
availability 2,105.6 kwh thi, Tamil Nadu mein 1,401.4 kwh, aur Maharashtra mein 1,344.7 kwh thi, jabki Uttar
Pradesh mein sirf 618.1 kwh aur Bihar mein sirf 322.7 kwh thi (national average is year mein 1,031.4 kwh thi).

Highlights:

1. Urbanisation is higher in relatively developed States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.
2. Disparities in per capita electricity consumption are large, with states like Punjab and Tamil Nadu having
much higher consumption than states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
3. Regional disparities in power availability and urbanisation highlight significant differences in development
levels across India.

Regional Planning Policy in India

Because of the glaring regional disparities in India, the planners have accepted the importance of balanced regional
development ever since the initiation of the planning process in India. In this context, the Second Plan stated: "In any
comprehensive plan of development, it is axi

omatic that the special needs of the less developed areas should receive due attention. The pattern of investment must
be devised as to lead to balanced regional development. The problem is particularly difficult in the early stages when
the resources available are very inadequate in relation to needs. But, more and more, as development proceeds and
large resources become available for investment, the stress of developmental programmes should be on extending
benefits of investment to underdeveloped regions. Only thus can a diversified economy be built up."

Hinglish Translation: India mein glaring regional disparities ke wajah se, planners ne balanced regional
development ki importance ko apnaya hai jab se planning process shuru hui thi. Is context mein, Second Plan mein
kaha gaya: "Kisi bhi comprehensive development plan mein, yeh zaroori hai ki kam developed areas ke special needs
ko dhyan mein rakha jaye. Investment ka pattern is tarah se devise kiya jaana chahiye ki balanced regional
development ho sake. Yeh problem especially early stages mein mushkil hoti hai jab available resources needs ke
comparison mein kaafi inadequate hote hain. Lekin, jaise-jaise development aage badhta hai aur large resources
investment ke liye available hote hain, developmental programmes ka focus un regions mein investment ke benefits
ko extend karne par hona chahiye. Tabhi ek diversified economy banayi ja sakti hai."

Highlights:
 1. Regional development policies in India emphasize balancing the needs of less developed areas.
2. Planners have recognized the challenge of ensuring balanced development, especially in early stages when
resources are limited.
3. The Second Plan stresses that investment should focus on underdeveloped regions to promote a diversified
economy.

The Third Plan and Balanced Regional Development

The Third Plan devoted a separate chapter (Chapter IX) to "Balanced Regional Development". It was once again
emphasized that "balanced development of different parts of the country, extension of the benefits of economic
progress to the less developed regions and widespread diffusion of industry are among the major aims of planned
development." The Third Plan admitted that, on account of technological reasons, it might become necessary to
localize production in the large industrial sector. Therefore, it was necessary "to provide for more dispersed advance
in sectors like agriculture, small industries, power, communications, and social services." The approach in the Third
Plan was to (1) help the States in reducing intra-State disparities (i.e., disparities among different regions of the same
State), and (ii) initiate new programmes and extend programmes adopted in the previous plans to reduce inter-State
inequalities (i.e., inequalities between different States).

Hinglish Translation: Third Plan ne "Balanced Regional Development" par ek alag chapter (Chapter IX) diya tha.
Ek baar phir se yeh emphasize kiya gaya ki "desh ke alag-alag hisson ka balanced development, economic progress
ke benefits ko kam developed regions tak pohnchana aur industries ka widespread diffusion planned development ke
major aims mein se hain." Third Plan ne yeh maan liya tha ki, technological reasons ke wajah se, large industrial
sector mein production ko localize karna zaroori ho sakta hai. Isliye, yeh zaroori tha ki "agriculture, small industries,
power, communications, aur social services jaise sectors mein zyada dispersed advance kiya jaye." Third Plan ka
approach tha (1) States ko intra-State disparities (ek hi State ke alag-alag regions ke beech disparities) ko kam karne
mein madad dena, aur (ii) naye programmes ko shuru karna aur pichle plans mein apnaye gaye programmes ko
extend karna taaki inter-State inequalities (alag States ke beech inequalities) ko kam kiya ja sake.

Highlights:

1. The Third Plan focused on balanced regional development to extend economic benefits to less developed
regions.
2. It acknowledged the need to localize industrial production but also emphasized more dispersed advancement
in sectors like agriculture, small industries, power, communications, and social services.
3. The approach aimed at reducing both intra-State and inter-State disparities.

Specific Programmes for Reducing Disparities

As far as the first issue is concerned, the programmes included related to (a) increasing agricultural production, (b)
taking steps to ensure "largest feasible" increase in income and employment, (c) developing social services,
especially elementary education, water supply, sanitation, and health services in rural areas, (d) developing
communications and power, and (e) raising the standard of living for less developed areas of the State. As far as the
second issue is concerned, special attention was sought to be given to areas that were relatively backward in the past.
Programmes to be implemented to achieve this purpose included (a) intensive development of agriculture, (b)
extension of irrigation, (c) promotion of small and village industries, (d) large-scale expansion of power, (e)
development of rail and road transport, (f) provision of universal education for the age-group 6-11 years, (g) larger
opportunities for secondary, technical, and vocational education, (h) improvements in conditions of living and water
supply, (i) programmes for welfare of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes, (j) programmes
of rural works to solve the problem of poverty and underemployment, and (k) establishment of large industrial
projects and river valley projects in the less developed regions of the country as long as this did not seriously conflict
with the technological considerations.
Hinglish Translation: Pehle issue ke liye, jo programmes include kiye gaye the, unmein shamil hain (a) agricultural
production ko badhana, (b) "largest feasible" income aur employment mein increase ke liye steps lena, (c) social
services ko develop karna, khas karke rural areas mein elementary education, water supply, sanitation aur health
services, (d) communications aur power ko develop karna, aur (e) State ke kam developed areas mein standard of
living ko raise karna. Dusre issue ke liye, un areas ko special attention dene ki koshish ki gayi thi jo pehle relatively
backward the. Is purpose ko achieve karne ke liye implement kiye jane wale programmes shamil the: (a) agriculture
ka intensive development, (b) irrigation ka extension, (c) small aur village industries ka promotion, (d) power ka
large-scale expansion, (e) rail aur road transport ka development, (f) age-group 6-11 years ke liye universal education
ka provision, (g) secondary, technical aur vocational education ke liye zyada opportunities, (h) living conditions aur
water supply mein improvements, (i) scheduled castes, scheduled tribes aur other backward classes ke welfare ke liye
programmes, (j) rural works programmes poverty aur underemployment ka solution dene ke liye, aur (k) country ke
less developed regions mein large industrial projects aur river valley projects ka establishment, jab tak yeh
technological considerations se serious conflict na ho.

Highlights:

1. The Third Plan proposed various programmes to reduce intra-State disparities, including increasing
agricultural production and improving social services in rural areas.
2. It also focused on the development of small industries, infrastructure, and education to uplift less developed
regions.
3. Special programmes were designed for backward areas, including large-scale industrial and river valley
projects, ensuring they didn't conflict with technological requirements.

Continuation of Policies and Programmes in the Fourth Plan

These policies were continued in the subsequent plans as well with some changes of emphasis here and there. In
addition to these programmes, the Fourth Plan introduced a number of other schemes for the benefit of the rural poor
such as Small Farmers Development Agency (SFDA), Marginal Farmers' and Agricultural Labourers' Development
Agency (MFAL), Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Crash Scheme for Rural Employment (CSRE), Pilot
Intensive Rural Employment Projects (PIREP), etc. Since a large number of the rural poor live in relatively less
developed regions, all these programmes were expected to benefit the less developed regions more in comparison
with the developed regions. Some programmes such as Drought Prone Area Programme were meant specifically to
help the backward areas. Other specific programmes included in the Fourth Plan were concerned with identification
of backward regions for purposes of granting concessions and financial assistance to industries established in such
areas and weightage to backward States in the allocation of Central assistance. Besides, a number of State
governments and financial institutions also announced special concessions to industries established in the backward
areas so that entrepreneurs could be attracted to invest in such areas.

Hinglish Translation: Yeh policies subsequent plans mein bhi continue ki gayi thi, kuch changes ke saath. In
programmes ke alawa, Fourth Plan ne rural poor ke liye kaafi aur schemes introduce ki thi, jaise Small Farmers
Development Agency (SFDA), Marginal Farmers' and Agricultural Labourers' Development Agency (MFAL),
Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Crash Scheme for Rural Employment (CSRE), Pilot Intensive Rural
Employment Projects (PIREP), etc. Kyunki kaafi rural poor relatively kam developed regions mein rehte hain, in sab
programmes ka fayda developed regions ke comparison mein kam developed regions ko zyada milne ki ummid thi.
Kuch programmes jaise Drought Prone Area Programme specifically backward areas ki madad ke liye banaye gaye
the. Dusre specific programmes jo Fourth Plan mein the, unmein backward regions ki pehchaan karna tha, taaki un
areas mein industries ko concessions aur financial assistance mil sake aur backward States ko Central assistance
allocation mein weightage di ja sake. Saath hi, kai State governments aur financial institutions ne bhi backward areas
mein industries ke liye special concessions announce kiye the, taaki entrepreneurs ko in areas mein invest karne ke
liye attract kiya ja sake.

Highlights:

1. The Fourth Plan introduced various programmes like SFDA, MFAL, DPAP, and PIREP for the rural poor,
with a focus on less developed regions.
 2. Special programmes like DPAP aimed specifically at helping backward areas.
3. There was emphasis on granting financial incentives and concessions to industries in backward regions to
encourage investment.

Continued Focus on Regional Development in the Fifth and Sixth Plans

These policies and programmes were continued in the Fifth Plan period as well. Emphasis was laid on Area
Development. Approaches adopted for this purpose included the resource-based or the problem-based development
approach, the target-group approach, the incentive approach, and the comprehensive area approach.

Hinglish Translation: Yeh policies aur programmes Fifth Plan period mein bhi continue kiye gaye. Area
Development par zyada focus diya gaya. Iske liye jo approaches apnaye gaye unmein resource-based ya problem-
based development approach, target-group approach, incentive approach, aur comprehensive area approach shamil
thi.

Highlights:

1. The Fifth Plan continued previous policies and emphasized Area Development.
2. Multiple development approaches like resource-based, target-group, and incentive-based approaches were
adopted.

Sixth Plan: Integrated Approach to Regional Inequality

To provide an integrated approach to the problems of regional inequalities, the Sixth Plan adopted the mechanism of
area planning and the sub-plan approach was promoted so that the area plans could be integrated fully with the
national development plan. The Desert Development Programme covering 126 blocks in 21 districts aimed at
checking further desertification of the desert areas and raising productivity of the local resources to raise the income
and employment levels of the local inhabitants. The Drought Prone Area Programme covering 557 blocks spread over
74 districts in the country aimed at optimum utilization of land, water, and livestock resources, restoration of
ecological balance, and stabilizing the income of the people, particularly the weaker section of society. Perhaps the
most important programmes implemented during the Sixth Plan were the Integrated Rural Development Programme
(IRDP) and the National Rural Employment Programme (NREP). Though not strictly conceived as regional
development programmes, these programmes had considerable employment potential and their regional dimensions
could not be ignored.

Hinglish Translation: Regional inequalities ke problems ko solve karne ke liye integrated approach dene ke liye,
Sixth Plan ne area planning ka mechanism adopt kiya aur sub-plan approach ko promote kiya taaki area plans ko
national development plan ke saath fully integrate kiya ja sake. Desert Development Programme, jo 126 blocks aur
21 districts mein spread tha, ka maqsad tha desert areas mein desertification ko rokna aur local resources ki
productivity ko badhakar local inhabitants ki income aur employment levels ko raise karna. Drought Prone Area
Programme, jo 557 blocks mein 74 districts mein spread tha, ka aim tha land, water, aur livestock resources ka
optimum utilization, ecological balance ko restore karna aur society ke weaker section ki income ko stabilize karna.
Sixth Plan ke dauraan jo sabse important programmes implement kiye gaye unmein Integrated Rural Development
Programme (IRDP) aur National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) the. Yeh programmes strictly regional
development programmes nahi the, lekin inka employment potential kaafi tha aur inke regional dimensions ko ignore
nahi kiya ja sakta.

Highlights:

1. The Sixth Plan integrated area planning with the national development plan to address regional inequalities.
2. Key programmes like Desert Development Programme and Drought Prone Area Programme aimed to
improve local resources and income levels.
3. IRDP and NREP, although not strictly regional development programs, were essential in addressing
employment needs.
Seventh Plan: Focus on Agricultural Productivity and Human Resource Potential

The Seventh Plan correctly recognized that the two critical determinants of a region's economic status were
agricultural productivity and human resource potential, and reduction in inter-regional disparities in these two
elements would help greatly in the task of reducing regional imbalances. As far as raising agricultural productivity is
concerned, the Plan laid great stress on increasing agricultural productivity for rice, coarse cereals, pulses, and
oilseeds. As far as reduction of disparities in human resource potential is concerned, the Seventh Plan envisaged
universalisation of elementary education so that inter-regional disparities in educational status could be reduced.

Hinglish Translation: Seventh Plan ne sahi tarike se yeh pehchana ki ek region ke economic status ke do critical
determinants agricultural productivity aur human resource potential hain, aur in dono elements mein inter-regional
disparities ko reduce karna regional imbalances ko kam karne mein madad karega. Agricultural productivity ko
badhane ke liye, Plan ne rice, coarse cereals, pulses aur oilseeds ki productivity badhane par zyada focus diya.
Human resource potential mein disparities ko kam karne ke liye, Seventh Plan ne elementary education ka
universalisation envisage kiya taaki educational status mein inter-regional disparities ko reduce kiya ja sake.

Highlights:

1. The Seventh Plan identified agricultural productivity and human resource potential as critical for reducing
regional disparities.
2. It emphasized increasing productivity in key agricultural sectors and universalizing elementary education to
reduce educational disparities.

Eighth Plan: Market-Friendly Approach and Special Area Development

The role of economic planning was redefined by the government under the Eighth Five Year Plan. As a result, the
regulatory planning system was replaced by market-friendly indicative planning under which little scope was left for
regional planning. Probably it is this reason why the Eighth Plan lacked a regional perspective. However, the Plan
provided for some special areas development programmes such as Hill Areas Development Programme, North
Eastern Council, Border Area Development Programme, Desert Development Programme, etc. These programmes
are definitely part of regional planning. However, they are no substitutes for country-level regional planning. As a
matter of fact, the Special Area Development Programmes do not aim at removing the inter-State disparities in per
capita SDP, levels of human development, rates of industrial and agricultural development, and infrastructural
facilities.

Hinglish Translation: Economic planning ka role government ne Eighth Five Year Plan ke under redefine kiya. Iske
result mein, regulatory planning system ko market-friendly indicative planning se replace kiya gaya, jisme regional
planning ke liye bahut kam scope tha. Shayad is wajah se Eighth Plan mein regional perspective ki kami thi. Phir bhi,
Plan ne kuch special areas development programmes ka provision diya, jaise Hill Areas Development Programme,
North Eastern Council, Border Area Development Programme, Desert Development Programme, etc. Yeh
programmes definitely regional planning ka hissa hain. Lekin yeh country-level regional planning ka substitute nahi
hain. Asal mein, Special Area Development Programmes ka aim inter-State disparities ko remove karna nahi hai,
jaise per capita SDP, human development levels, industrial aur agricultural development rates, aur infrastructural
facilities.

Highlights:

1. The Eighth Plan shifted to market-friendly indicative planning, reducing focus on regional planning.
2. Special Area Development Programmes were implemented, but they did not address inter-State disparities at a
national level.

Ninth Plan: Limited Efforts for Regional Disparities

The Ninth Plan's approach to regional planning was also perfunctory. Like the Eighth Plan, it stated that the Special
Areas Development Programmes would be continued. The Ninth Plan document admitted that private investments
may do little to eliminate regional disparities. Therefore, it stated, "it will be necessary to deliberately bias public
investment in infrastructure in favour of the less well-off States. The Plan however did not spell out allocation of
resources from this point of view. The above-quoted observations are thus merely indicative of the intentions of the
Planning Commission. The Ninth Plan did not go beyond this as it avoided concretizing the projects and programmes
which

would work towards reducing inter-State disparities.

Hinglish Translation: Ninth Plan ka regional planning approach bhi perfunctory tha. Jaise Eighth Plan mein tha, yeh
bhi keh raha tha ki Special Areas Development Programmes continue kiye jayenge. Ninth Plan document mein yeh
mana gaya tha ki private investments regional disparities ko eliminate karne mein kam madad karenge. Isliye, yeh
kaha gaya ki "public investment ko infrastructure mein kam developed States ke favour mein deliberate bias dena
zaroori hoga." Lekin, Plan mein is perspective se resources allocation ko specifically outline nahi kiya gaya. Upar
diye gaye observations Planning Commission ke intentions ko indicate karte hain. Ninth Plan ne isse aage nahi gaya,
kyunki isne un projects aur programmes ko concretize karne se bacha jo inter-State disparities ko reduce karne ki
taraf kaam karte.

Highlights:

1. The Ninth Plan had a limited approach towards regional planning and focused on continuing special area
development programmes.
2. It acknowledged the need for public investment in less developed states but did not detail the allocation of
resources to address regional disparities.

Tenth Plan: Addressing Regional Inequalities

The Tenth Plan expressed concern over increasing regional inequalities. In order to emphasise the importance of
ensuring a balanced development for all States, it included a State-wise break-up of the broad developmental targets,
including targets for growth rate and social development, which are consistent with the national targets. It felt that
such an exercise will serve as a catalyst to reinvigorate planning at the State level. The Plan pointed out two
dimensions to this: First, the very recognition of the diversities that exist in the country should lead to a similar
recognition at the sub-State level. A careful consideration of the sectoral pattern of growth and its regional dispersion
within the State would be required to achieve the growth targets set for the States. Secondly, a statement of the
comparative position of the various States in different dimensions of development is in itself an important method for
encouraging introspection, leading hopefully to effective benchmarking for future progress.

Hinglish Translation: Tenth Plan ne badhti hui regional inequalities ko lekar chinta jatai thi. Sabhi States ke liye
balanced development ko ensure karne ki importance ko emphasize karte hue, ismein broad developmental targets ka
State-wise break-up diya gaya, jisme growth rate aur social development ke targets shamil the, jo national targets ke
saath consistent the. Yeh socha gaya ki aise ek exercise State level pe planning ko revitalise karne ka catalyst ka
kaam karegi. Plan ne iske do dimensions ko point out kiya: Pehla, jo diversities desh mein hain unka recognition sub-
State level tak hona chahiye. Growth ke sectoral pattern aur uski regional dispersion ko dhyan se dekhna hoga taaki
States ke liye set growth targets ko achieve kiya ja sake. Dusra, alag-alag States ki comparative position ko
development ke alag dimensions mein dikhana khud mein introspection ko encourage karne ka ek important method
hai, jo aage chal kar future progress ke liye effective benchmarking ki taraf le jaa sakta hai.

Highlights:

1. The Tenth Plan focused on addressing regional inequalities by providing State-wise development targets.
2. It emphasized recognizing regional diversities at the sub-State level for more targeted growth.
3. The plan encouraged introspection through comparative development rankings of States for future progress.
Eleventh Plan: Targeted Approach for Slower Growing States

The Eleventh Plan continued with the initiative of the Tenth Plan of working out GSDP growth targets for States.
These targets were further broken up into targets for each sector. The Plan also tried to break down the monitorable
targets at the national level into State-level targets. Since the slow-growing States cannot catch up with the faster-
growing States within a short span of five years, the Eleventh Plan sought to target the slower-growing States, and the
backward areas within these States for higher levels of public investment. The Plan argued that this would enable the
backlog in physical and social infrastructure to be addressed. For this purpose, it proposed to strengthen the
Backward Regions Grant Fund which aims at catalysing development in backward areas by (1) providing
infrastructure, (ii) promoting good governance and agrarian reforms, and (iii) converging, through supplementary
infrastructure and capacity building, the substantial existing development flows into backward districts. The
Backward Regions Grant Fund is proposed to be anchored in a well-conceived, participatory district plan by the
implementation of programmes selected through people's participation for which Panchayati Raj institutions from the
village up to the district level are to be the authorities for planning and implementation. The scheme has two
components: (i) Districts Component covering 250 districts, and (ii) Special Plans for Bihar State and the Kalahandi
Bolangir-Korapur (KBK) districts of Odisha State.

Hinglish Translation: Eleventh Plan ne Tenth Plan ke initiative ko continue karte hue States ke liye GSDP growth
targets set kiye. In targets ko har sector ke liye further break up kiya gaya. Plan ne national level ke monitorable
targets ko State level targets mein break down karne ki koshish ki. Kyunki slow-growing States ek chhote samay
mein fast-growing States se nahi padh sakte, Eleventh Plan ne slower-growing States aur un States ke backward areas
ko zyada public investment ke liye target kiya. Plan ne kaha ki isse physical aur social infrastructure ka backlog solve
kiya ja sakega. Iske liye, Plan ne Backward Regions Grant Fund ko strengthen karne ki sujhav diya, jo backward
areas mein development ko catalyze karne ke liye hai, (1) infrastructure provide karna, (ii) good governance aur
agrarian reforms ko promote karna, aur (iii) supplementary infrastructure aur capacity building ke zariye, existing
development flows ko backward districts mein converge karna. Backward Regions Grant Fund ko ek well-conceived,
participatory district plan mein anchor kiya gaya hai, jisme programmes logon ke participation ke through select kiye
jayenge aur Panchayati Raj institutions ko planning aur implementation ke liye authorities banaya jayega. Scheme ke
do components hain: (i) Districts Component covering 250 districts, aur (ii) Special Plans for Bihar State aur Odisha
ke Kalahandi Bolangir-Korapur (KBK) districts.

Highlights:

1. The Eleventh Plan continued setting GSDP growth targets for States and broken them down into sector-wise
targets.
2. It focused on investing in slower-growing States and backward areas to address infrastructure backlogs.
3. The plan proposed strengthening the Backward Regions Grant Fund to catalyze development in these areas
with a participatory approach.

Eleventh Plan: Special Area Development Programmes

In addition to the above, the Eleventh Plan proposed to continue the Hill Areas Development Programme and the
Western Ghats Development Programme with renewed vigour so that the natural resources of these fragile areas can
be used in a sustainable manner based on environment-friendly technologies. Border Area Development Programme
(BADP) was also to be strengthened and made more effective. The Plan also proposed a number of initiatives for the
development of the North-Eastern Region (NER) of the country.

Hinglish Translation: Upar diye gaye points ke alawa, Eleventh Plan ne Hill Areas Development Programme aur
Western Ghats Development Programme ko naye junoon ke saath continue karne ki sujhav diya, taaki in fragile areas
ke natural resources ko sustainable tareeke se environment-friendly technologies par based use kiya ja sake. Border
Area Development Programme (BADP) ko bhi strengthen karne aur usse zyada effective banane ki baat ki gayi thi.
Plan ne North-Eastern Region (NER) ke development ke liye bhi kai initiatives propose kiye.

Highlights:
 1. The Eleventh Plan proposed to continue and strengthen the Hill Areas and Western Ghats Development
Programmes for sustainable use of resources.
2. It also aimed to strengthen the Border Area Development Programme and proposed initiatives for the
development of the North-Eastern Region.

Twelfth Plan: Strengthening Programmes and Improving Governance

The Twelfth Plan has proposed the restructuring and strengthening of most of the programmes undertaken in the
Eleventh Plan. The Plan correctly points out that the persistence of backwardness is not a problem that can be solved
merely with a generous infusion of funds. In fact, overcoming underdevelopment is critically dependent on the
robustness of the institutional structure of governance in these areas. To improve governance in backward areas and
ensure better participatory planning, the Twelfth Plan proposes a new architecture for BRGF.

Hinglish Translation: Twelfth Plan ne Eleventh Plan mein kiye gaye kai programmes ko restructure aur strengthen
karne ki sujhav diya hai. Plan ne sahi tarike se yeh point out kiya hai ki backwardness ka persistence sirf fund ki
generous infusion se solve nahi kiya ja sakta. Asal mein, underdevelopment ko overcome karna in areas ke
governance ke institutional structure ki robustness par dependent hai. Backward areas mein governance improve
karne aur better participatory planning ko ensure karne ke liye, Twelfth Plan ne BRGF ke liye ek nayi architecture
propose ki hai.

Highlights:

1. The Twelfth Plan proposed restructuring and strengthening existing programmes from the Eleventh Plan.
2. It emphasized the importance of robust governance structures to overcome underdevelopment and improve
participatory planning.

Categories of Policies for Regional Development

Considering the period of planning as a whole, the policies adopted by the government can be classified into either of
the following categories:

1. Policies aimed at industrialisation of lagging regions.

2. Policies for development of irrigation, agriculture, and allied activities.
3. Policies aimed at providing infrastructural facilities such as transport, communications, etc., in backward
regions.
4. Transfer of resources from Centre to States in the form of plan assistance, non-plan assistance, and
discretionary grants in such a way as to reduce regional disparities.
5. Special programmes for the development of backward and less developed regions.

Hinglish Translation: Planning ke period ko dhyan mein rakhte hue, government dwara apnaye gaye policies ko in
categories mein classify kiya ja sakta hai:

1. Policies jo lagging regions ki industrialisation ke liye hain.

2. Policies jo irrigation, agriculture, aur allied activities ke development ke liye hain.
3. Policies jo backward regions mein transport, communications, etc., jaise infrastructural facilities provide
karne ke liye hain.
4. Centre se States tak resources ka transfer plan assistance, non-plan assistance, aur discretionary grants ke roop
mein is tareeke se kiya gaya hai ki regional disparities ko reduce kiya ja sake.
5. Special programmes jo backward aur less developed regions ke development ke liye hain.

Highlights:

1. Policies aimed at industrializing lagging regions and promoting infrastructure development.

 2. Transfer of resources from Centre to States to reduce regional disparities and support special development
programmes for backward regions.

Industrialisation of Lagging Regions

Under the first heading, the following measures were adopted: (a) location of public sector projects in backward
regions, (b) use of industrial licensing policy to direct private investment to backward regions, and (c) encouragement
to prospective entrepreneurs to set up industries in backward areas by granting them subsidies and concessional
finance from nationalised banks and financial institutions. A number of public sector projects were set up in the
backward States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. The impact of these public sector projects on the regional
economies of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha has not been significant. The anticipated spread effects did not
materialise, and the economies of these States continue to be backward as usual. The industrial licensing policy also
failed to achieve the desired objective and discriminated in favour of developed States. Even when the government
decided to issue more licences to backward areas, it were the backward areas of

the relatively developed States that received preferential treatment. The financial institutions also discriminated
against the poor States and granted a relatively greater proportion of their financial assistance to the developed States.

Hinglish Translation: Pehle point ke under, ye measures adopt kiye gaye: (a) public sector projects ko backward
regions mein locate karna, (b) industrial licensing policy ka use private investment ko backward regions mein direct
karne ke liye, aur (c) prospective entrepreneurs ko backward areas mein industries set up karne ke liye encourage
karna, unhe subsidies aur concessional finance grant karke jo nationalised banks aur financial institutions se mile.
Bihar, Madhya Pradesh aur Odisha ke backward States mein kai public sector projects set kiye gaye. In projects ka
Bihar, Madhya Pradesh aur Odisha ki regional economies par koi significant impact nahi hua. Jo spread effects
expect kiye gaye they, woh materialize nahi hue, aur in States ki economies waisi ki waisi hi backward rahi.
Industrial licensing policy bhi desired objective ko achieve karne mein fail ho gayi thi aur yeh developed States ke
favour mein discrimination karti thi. Jab government ne backward areas ko zyada licences dene ka decision liya, toh
relatively developed States ke backward areas ko preferential treatment mila. Financial institutions ne bhi poor States
ke against discrimination kiya aur zyada financial assistance developed States ko di.

Highlights:

1. Measures like locating public sector projects and using industrial licensing to direct investments were aimed
at industrialising backward regions.
2. The impact of these projects in States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha was limited, and financial
institutions favored developed States.

Development of Agriculture: High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP)

As far as development of agriculture is concerned, the most important programme initiated during the planning period
was the High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP).

Hinglish Translation: Jahan tak krishi ke development ka sawaal hai, planning period ke dauran sabse important
programme jo shuru kiya gaya tha, woh tha High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP).

Highlights:

1. The High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP) was the key agricultural development initiative during the
planning period.
As a result of this programme, foodgrain production and productivity rose. Particularly noteworthy was the increase
in wheat production and productivity in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. This led to an increase in
regional inequalities. With a view to reducing regional disparities in agricultural development, the Seventh Plan gave
a high priority to the development of dryland rainfed farming. A special rice production programme was also
launched in about 20 percent of the blocks of the eastern region.

Hinglish Translation: Is programme ke natije mein, anaj utpadan aur utpadan ki dar mein izafa hua. Khaas taur par,
Punjab, Haryana aur Western Uttar Pradesh mein gehu ki utpadan aur utpadan ki dar mein badhotri dekhne ko mili.
Isse shehri aur gaon ke beech ke farq mein izafa hua. Krishi vikas mein shehri aur gaon ke beech ke disparities ko
kam karne ke liye, Seventh Plan mein dryland rainfed farming ke vikas par zyada zor diya gaya. Khaas ek chawal
utpadan programme bhi purvanchal ke 20 pratishat blocks mein shuru kiya gaya.

Highlights:

1. Increase in food grain production, especially wheat in specific regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar
Pradesh.
2. Special emphasis on dryland rainfed farming to reduce regional disparities in agriculture.
3. A dedicated rice production program launched in Eastern India.

Second Paragraph Translation and Highlights:

For the purpose of identifying backward areas and recommending fiscal and financial incentives for their
development, the National Development Council (NDC) set up two working groups in 1968: Pande Committee and
Wanchoo Committee. The Pande Committee adopted a number of criteria for identifying backward districts, and on
the basis of these criteria, identified 238 districts all over India, comprising 60 percent of the country's area and an
equal proportion of its population as industrially backward. The government provides a number of fiscal and financial
incentives like Central investment subsidy, tax rebates, and income tax concessions, etc., to units set up in these
specified backward areas of the country. In addition to encouraging potential entrepreneurs to set up industries in the
backward areas, a number of other programmes have also been initiated to promote industrialisation of such areas, the
important ones being: (1) use of industrial licensing policy to encourage setting up of industries in backward areas;
(2) location of large-scale public sector projects in the backward areas; (3) setting up of rural industries projects; (4)
establishment of industrial estates, and (5) development of infrastructure, particularly banking, transport, and
communications in the backward areas.

Hinglish Translation: Pichhde shehron ko pehchaan ne aur unke vikas ke liye fiscal aur financial incentives dene ke
liye, National Development Council (NDC) ne 1968 mein do working groups banaye the: Pande Committee aur
Wanchoo Committee. Pande Committee ne pichhde shehron ko pehchaan ne ke liye kai criteria apnaaye, aur inhi
criteria ke adhar par 238 districts ko pichhde ke roop mein pehchana, jo poore desh ke kshetra ka 60 pratishat aur
lokpriya abadi ka barabar hissa tha. Sarkar aise pichhde kshetron mein units banane wale ko kai fiscal aur financial
incentives deti hai, jaise Central investment subsidy, tax rebates, aur income tax concessions, etc. Iske alawa, khudra
udyog lagaane wale udyamiyon ko protsaahit karne ke liye kai aur programmes bhi shuru kiye gaye hain, jaise: (1)
pichhde kshetron mein industries lagane ke liye industrial licensing policy ka upyog; (2) pichhde kshetron mein
public sector projects ka sthal; (3) rural industries projects ka sthal; (4) industrial estates ka gathan, aur (5) pichhde
kshetron mein banking, transport aur communications infrastructure ko viksit karna.

Highlights:

1. Identification of 238 industrially backward districts across India.

2. Fiscal and financial incentives for industries in backward areas.
3. Programs for encouraging industrialisation through policy and infrastructure development in backward areas.

Third Paragraph Translation and Highlights:

The issue of transfer of resources from Centre to States is discussed in detail in the chapter on "Federal Finance in
India: Centre-State Financial Relations." Here we merely wish to point out that transfers through the different sources
(Planning Commission, Finance Commission, and discretionary grants) do not show any clear bias in favor of the
backward States. The ratio of loans and grants in plan assistance is a fixed one (70:30) and does not discriminate in
favor of the backward States. Thus, a paradoxical situation has emerged where the comparatively richer States
received a higher per capita grant than poor States. The Finance Commissions did seek to give due importance to
backward States, but their concern with 'budgetary needs' again led to a situation where richer States got more grants
as compared to the poor States. The third constituent of resource transfer, i.e., discretionary grants, also showed no
discrimination in favor of backward States. In fact, they were guided by political and not economic considerations.

Hinglish Translation: Centre se States mein resources transfer ka mamla "Federal Finance in India: Centre-State
Financial Relations" chapter mein detail mein discuss kiya gaya hai. Yahan hum sirf itna kehna chahte hain ki jo
transfers different sources ke through ho rahe hain (Planning Commission, Finance Commission, aur discretionary
grants) woh backward States ke liye koi clear bias nahi dikhate hain. Plan assistance mein loans aur grants ka ratio
fixed hai (70:30), jo backward States ke liye discriminate nahi karta. Isliye ek paradoxical situation emerge hui hai
jahan comparatively ameer States ko gareeb States ke comparison mein zyada per capita grant mil raha hai. Finance
Commissions ne backward States ko due importance dene ki koshish ki, lekin unki budgetary needs ke chakkar mein,
ameer States ko zyada grants milti rahi. Discretionary grants ka bhi backward States ke liye koi khas bias nahi tha,
woh political considerations par adharit the, economic nahi.

Highlights:

1. Resource transfers from Centre to States do not favor backward States.

2. Paradox: Richer States receive higher per capita grants than poorer States.
3. Discretionary grants are influenced by political rather than economic factors.

Fourth Paragraph Translation and Highlights:

As far as special programmes for the development of backward and less developed regions are concerned, the
important programmes in vogue are the Hill Areas Development Programme, the North-Eastern Council (comprising
the seven States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh), and the
Desert Development Programme. Under the Seventh Plan, a new programme for the development of border areas was
taken up.

Hinglish Translation: Jahan tak pichhde aur kam viksit kshetron ke vikas ke liye special programmes ka sawaal hai,
to kuch important programmes hain: Hill Areas Development Programme, North-Eastern Council (jisme Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, aur Arunachal Pradesh ke saat States shamil hain), aur Desert
Development Programme. Seventh Plan ke under, ek naya programme border areas ke vikas ke liye shuru kiya gaya
tha.

Highlights:

1. Special programmes for backward regions: Hill Areas Development, North-Eastern Council, Desert
Development.
2. A new programme for border area development launched under the Seventh Plan.

Original Text:

LACK OF GENUINE REGIONAL PLANNING IN INDIA

Though the government initiated a number of measures to develop backward regions and reduce regional disparities,
the fact is that genuine regional planning is entirely missing. Whatever planning has been done at the regional level
was ad hoc in character since regional variables did not form part of the overall planning strategy. The models that
have formed the basis of planning in India (e.g., Mahalanobis model), were sectoral in character and no regional
variables were introduced. Therefore, regional aspects of planning never emerged in terms of an interwoven strategy
of development. All discussions centred on the issues relating to the allocation of resources among different sectors
(e.g., capital goods industries and consumer goods industries) and questions relating to allocation of resources (say, in
industries) among different regions were not discussed.

Translation (Hinglish):

LACK OF GENUINE REGIONAL PLANNING IN INDIA

Halaanki sarkar ne kai measures liye hain backward regions ko develop karne aur regional disparities ko kam karne
ke liye, sach yeh hai ki genuine regional planning bilkul bhi nahi hai. Jo bhi planning regional level par hui hai, woh
ad-hoc thi kyunki regional variables overall planning strategy ka hissa nahi thi. Jo models India mein planning ke
base bane hain (jaise Mahalanobis model), woh sectoral the aur regional variables ko introduce nahi kiya gaya. Isliye,
regional aspects of planning kabhi bhi ek interwoven strategy ke roop mein nahi aaye. Sabhi discussions sirf
resources ko alag-alag sectors (jaise capital goods industries aur consumer goods industries) mein allocate karne par
hi focus karti hain, aur industries ke beech regions mein resources allocation ke sawaal par koi discussion nahi hota.

Highlights:

1. Lack of genuine regional planning: Regional planning is missing in India.

2. Ad-hoc planning: Planning at the regional level was done without long-term strategy or integration of
regional factors.
3. Sectoral focus: Planning models, like the Mahalanobis model, were sector-focused and ignored regional
variables.
4. No regional development strategy: There was no interwoven strategy for regional development.
5. Focus on resource allocation: Discussions mainly focused on resource allocation between sectors, not
regions.

Original Text:

Whatever discussions on location of industries are found did not directly emerge from the models themselves but
were added simply as an appendage to justify the claim of planners that adequate attention was being paid to
considerations of balanced regional development and regional planning. A classic example of this statement is to be
found in the policy regarding the setting up of large public sector projects in backward regions. The government has
invested substantial amounts in public sector projects in the three backward States of Bihar, Odisha and Madhya
Pradesh (especially in steel plants). However, these investment activities have not been able to generate growth.
process in the backward States of Bihar, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. This is because of the fact that the policy
pertaining to investment in public sector projects in these States did not form part of a regional planning strategy. No
in-depth studies were carried out to ascertain the effect of these investments on the rural hinterland and whether (1) a
sufficient number of ancillary units will emerge or not, and (2) the ancillary units that might emerge will be able to
spread the effects of development or not, i.e., whether the ancillary units will remain as a separate pocket (or enclave)
of development or whether they could be linked up with the rural hinterland in such a way that growth impulses in the
hinterland could be generated. Insufficient attention to these questions has severely restricted the ability of the public
sector projects in backward regions to generate spread effects and growth impulses.

Translation (Hinglish):

Jo bhi discussions industries ke location ke baare mein hui hain, woh directly models se nahi nikle, balki sirf ek
appendage ke roop mein add kiye gaye the taaki planners ka yeh claim justify ho sake ki balanced regional
development aur regional planning ko adequate attention di gayi hai. Is statement ka classic example is policy mein
hai jo backward regions mein large public sector projects set up karne ki baat karti hai. Sarkar ne backward States
jaise Bihar, Odisha aur Madhya Pradesh mein public sector projects mein substantial amounts invest ki hain
(especially steel plants mein). Lekin yeh investment activities backward States jaise Bihar, Odisha aur Madhya
Pradesh mein growth process generate nahi kar payi hain. Iska reason yeh hai ki public sector projects mein
investment ki jo policy thi, woh regional planning strategy ka hissa nahi thi. In investments ke rural hinterland par
effect ko jaanchne ke liye koi in-depth studies nahi ki gayi, aur yeh bhi nahi jaana gaya ki (1) kya ancillary units kaafi
matra mein ubhrenge ya nahi, aur (2) jo ancillary units ubhrenge, woh development ke effects ko phela paenge ya
nahi, yaani ki kya ancillary units development ke alag pocket (ya enclave) mein reh jayenge ya kya unhe rural
hinterland ke saath is tarah link kiya ja sakta hai ki hinterland mein growth impulses generate ho sakein. In sawaalon
par insufficient attention dene ke wajah se backward regions mein public sector projects ki ability ko spread effects
aur growth impulses generate karne mein kaafi restrictions ka samna karna pada.

Highlights:

1. Industry Location Discussions: Discussions on industrial location were not based on models but were added
to justify planners' claims of balanced regional development.
2. Public Sector Projects: The government invested in public sector projects in backward states like Bihar,
Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, especially in steel plants.
3. Lack of Growth: These investments have not generated growth in these states.
4. Missing Regional Planning Strategy: The investments were not part of a regional planning strategy.
5. No In-depth Studies: No studies were done to assess the effects of these investments on the rural areas, such
as whether ancillary units would emerge and spread development.
6. Limited Impact: Insufficient attention to these aspects has hindered the ability of public sector projects to
generate growth impulses in these backward regions.

Original Text:

The neglect of spatial factors in Indian planning strategy is also evidenced from the fact that Indian plans completely
ignored the role of 'development poles' and 'growth centres' in the development process. Accordingly, no conscious
efforts were made in the plans to evolve a linked pattern of hierarchy of different settlements (having central villages,
service towns, growth points, growth centres, growth poles, etc.), and therefore no spatially integrated socio-
economic organization could emerge. What emerged was an immensely distorted and lopsided pattern of urbanization
and economic development. Large metropolitan centres like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai continued to
attract industries and other economic activities. In fact, all activities have tended to concentrate in these centres and
labour and capital have continued to flow from the backward areas and urban centres of lower order to these large
urban centres. This only shows that these metropolitan centres have worked as great suction pumps, sucking up the
growth potentials of the vast rural hinterland, backward areas, and lower-order urban centres. In the dazzle of
economic growth models emphasizing the rate of investment as the growth-determining and growth-generating
process, we forgot that the questions relating to where the investments should be made to maximize employment and
to hasten and widen spatially the transforming process are more important. It is only through the development of a
hierarchical pattern of linked settlements that balanced regional development can be achieved, ad hoc measures like
the ones we have been practising are of no avail.

Translation (Hinglish):

Indian planning strategy mein spatial factors ki neglect ka ek aur saboot yeh hai ki Indian plans ne 'development
poles' aur 'growth centres' ka role completely ignore kiya hai development process mein. Isliye, plans mein
consciously koi efforts nahi kiye gaye the linked pattern of hierarchy of different settlements ko evolve karne ke liye
(jisme central villages, service towns, growth points, growth centres, growth poles, etc. hon), aur isliye koi spatially
integrated socio-economic organization nahi ban paayi. Jo hua woh ek distorted aur lopsided pattern tha urbanization
aur economic development ka. Bade metropolitan centres jaise Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, aur Chennai ne industries
aur dusre economic activities ko attract karna jaari rakha. Actually, saari activities in centres mein concentrate hoti
gayi aur labour aur capital backward areas aur lower order urban centres se in large urban centres mein flow karte
rahe. Yeh sirf yeh dikhata hai ki yeh metropolitan centres bade suction pumps ki tarah kaam kar rahe the, jo vast rural
hinterland, backward areas, aur lower-order urban centres ke growth potentials ko apni taraf kheench rahe the.
Economic growth models ke dazzle mein, jo investment ke rate ko growth-determining aur growth-generating
process ke roop mein emphasize karte hain, hum bhool gaye ki yeh sawaal zyada important hain ki investments kaha
kiye jayen taaki employment maximize ho sake aur transforming process ko jaldi aur spatially widen kiya ja sake.
Yeh tabhi ho sakta hai jab linked settlements ka hierarchical pattern develop ho, ad hoc measures jo hum practice kar
rahe hain woh bekaar hain.

Highlights:

1. Neglect of Spatial Factors: Indian planning ignored the role of 'development poles' and 'growth centres',
leading to a lack of integrated socio-economic planning.
2. Distorted Urbanization: This led to a distorted and lopsided urbanization pattern where large cities like
Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai dominated the economic landscape.
3. Concentration of Activities: Economic activities concentrated in metropolitan centres, draining resources
from rural and lower-order urban areas.
4. Lack of Strategic Investment: Focus was placed on investment rates rather than where investments should
be made to maximize employment and facilitate wider, more spatially balanced growth.
5. Failure of Ad-hoc Measures: Short-term, ad hoc measures failed to achieve balanced regional development.
A structured, hierarchical approach is needed.

Original Text:

While on the one hand absence of a strategy of growth centres and development poles led to a lopsided pattern of
urban development, on the other hand, it led to the adoption of measures in the rural sector which did not form a part
of an integrated rural development strategy. The nearest that we came towards evolving such a strategy was the
adoption of the Community Development Programme. However, absence of a regional planning framework led to the
failure of the programme. Since no attempts were made to conceive of rural areas as part of a hierarchy of human
settlements, functional linkages between rural and urban areas were not explored. As a consequence, growth impulses
were not generated and rural areas remained backward and stagnant.

Translation (Hinglish):

Jahan ek taraf growth centres aur development poles ki strategy ki kami se urban development ka ek lopsided pattern
bana, wahan doosri taraf, isne rural sector mein aise measures ko adopt karne ki taraf lead kiya jo ek integrated rural
development strategy ka hissa nahi the. Humne jo sabse kareeb strategy banayi thi, woh thi Community Development
Programme ka adoption. Lekin, regional planning framework ki kami ne is programme ke failure ko lead kiya.
Kyunki rural areas ko human settlements ki hierarchy ka hissa banane ki koi koshish nahi ki gayi thi, rural aur urban
areas ke beech functional linkages ko explore nahi kiya gaya. Iska nateeja yeh hua ki growth impulses generate nahi
ho paaye aur rural areas backward aur stagnant reh gaye.

Highlights:

1. Absence of Growth Strategy: The lack of a strategy for growth centres and development poles led to
imbalanced urban development.
 2. Rural Development Issues: In the rural sector, measures adopted were not part of an integrated strategy,
hindering effective growth.
3. Community Development Programme: The Community Development Programme was the closest attempt
but failed due to lack of regional planning.
4. Lack of Linkages: Failure to establish connections between rural and urban areas caused a stagnation in rural
areas, preventing growth.

Original Text:

The Centralised Nature of Planning

Neglect of spatial factors and genuine regional planning also stems from the nature of the plan formulation process
which has been a highly centralised one. The basic task in plan formulation was done by the Planning Commission at
the Centre and State governments merely adjusted their policies and programmes accordingly. In fact, they were not
even competent to carry out this job since they did not possess any machinery for planning. The agency through
which the State governments used to voice their opinion was the National Development Council (NDC). The NDC
was founded in 1952 and consisted of the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers of States, and the members of the
Planning Commission. It was created with the purpose of securing the cooperation of States in planning. However,
for several reasons, the role of NDC had remained a subdued one. The Chief Ministers were generally not able to
present a united front; the meetings of the NDC used to be conducted in a hurried way and were called for a very
short period leaving no time for detailed discussion, and the NDC was not presented by the Planning Commission
with alternative plans. This reduced the role of the NDC to merely making adjustments here and there in the proposed
plan.

Translation (Hinglish):

Planning ka Centralised Nature

Spatial factors aur genuine regional planning ki neglect ka ek aur reason yeh hai ki plan formulation process ka nature
kaafi centralised raha hai. Plan formulation ka basic kaam Planning Commission ne Centre mein kiya aur State
governments apne policies aur programmes accordingly adjust karti thi. Actually, unke paas planning ke liye koi
machinery bhi nahi thi, isliye woh yeh kaam effectively nahi kar paayi. State governments jo apni rai rakhne ke liye
agency use karti thi woh thi National Development Council (NDC). NDC ka gathan 1952 mein kiya gaya tha aur
isme Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of States, aur Planning Commission ke members hote the. Iska purpose States
ko planning mein cooperation dena tha. Lekin kai reasons ke liye, NDC ka role bahut kamzor raha. Chief Ministers
aam taur pe united front nahi dikha paaye, NDC ki meetings jaldi mein hoti thi aur bahut chhoti period ke liye bulayi
jaati thi, jiski wajah se detailed discussion ka time nahi milta tha, aur Planning Commission ne NDC ko alternative
plans bhi nahi diye the. Isne NDC ka role sirf thode bahut adjustments karne tak simit kar diya tha proposed plan
mein.

Highlights:

1. Centralized Planning: The planning process was highly centralized, with the Planning Commission at the
Centre controlling most decisions.
2. Weak Role of States: State governments had little control or machinery for planning; their participation was
minimal.
3. NDC's Subdued Role: The National Development Council (NDC) was created to involve States but was
largely ineffective due to brief meetings and lack of alternative plans from the Planning Commission.

Original Text:
This shows that the role of States in the planning process was mostly confined merely to bargaining for more
financial resources and higher allocations. Their role in the basic task of planning, that of plan formulation, was
negligible. At the State level and the lower levels, there was no planning machinery.

Translation (Hinglish):

Yeh dikhata hai ki States ka role planning process mein zyada tar sirf financial resources aur higher allocations ke
liye bargaining tak hi simit tha. Unka role basic planning task mein, jo ki plan formulation tha, bilkul negligible tha.
State level aur neeche ke levels pe planning machinery hi nahi thi.

Highlights:

1. States' Limited Role: States were mainly involved in negotiating for financial resources, with little influence
over actual planning.
2. Lack of Planning Machinery: No proper planning machinery existed at the State or lower levels.

Original Text:

Planning has now been abandoned in our country and the Planning Commission has been dismantled. In its place,
NITI Aayog has been established, which is proposed to be a policy think-tank of the Government of India (for details
on NITI Aayog, please refer to Chapter 61). The focus is now on what has been called, cooperative federalism.
However, the role of States in this 'cooperative federalism' is not yet clear.

Translation (Hinglish):

Ab planning hamare desh mein band kar di gayi hai aur Planning Commission ko dismantle kar diya gaya hai. Uske
jagah pe NITI Aayog ko establish kiya gaya hai, jo Government of India ka ek policy think-tank hone ka proposal hai
(NITI Aayog ke details ke liye Chapter 61 ko dekhein). Ab focus hai us par jo 'cooperative federalism' kaha gaya hai.
Lekin, is 'cooperative federalism' mein States ka role abhi tak clear nahi hai.

Highlights:

1. End of Planning Commission: The Planning Commission was dismantled and replaced by NITI Aayog as a
policy think-tank.
2. Shift to Cooperative Federalism: The focus has shifted to 'cooperative federalism,' but the role of States in
this system remains unclear.

Original Text:

In his article 'Convergent growth' appearing in Business Standard on 30 September 2022, Nitin Desai has argued that
the data on income growth across States in India suggests a two-fold division of States. The low-growth States are in
the Northern, Eastern, and Central parts of the country (the NEC group). The higher-growth States are in the South,
West, and North-west of the country (the SWNW group). A measure of the widening gap between the low-growth
and the higher-growth States is given by the increase in the ratio of per capita State product in 1990-91 and 2019-20
in the aggregate and at two crucial sectoral levels.
• Total State product per capita: From 1.6 to 2.6 • Manufacturing State product per capita: From 2.3 to 3.4 • Services
State product per capita: From 1.9 to 2.9

This shows that the disparity between these twin groups grew during the period of liberalization.

Translation (Hinglish):

Apne article 'Convergent growth' mein jo Business Standard mein 30 September 2022 ko publish hua tha, Nitin Desai
ne yeh kaha hai ki India ke States mein income growth ka data do hisson mein division ko dikhata hai. Low-growth
States desh ke Northern, Eastern, aur Central parts mein hain (NEC group). Higher-growth States desh ke South,
West, aur North-west parts mein hain (SWNW group). Low-growth aur higher-growth States ke beech widening gap
ko measure karne ka ek tareeka yeh hai ki per capita State product ka ratio 1990-91 aur 2019-20 mein aggregate aur
do crucial sectoral levels par badha hai.

• Total State product per capita: 1.6 se 2.6 • Manufacturing State product per capita: 2.3 se 3.4 • Services State
product per capita: 1.9 se 2.9

Yeh dikhata hai ki liberalization ke dauran in do groups ke beech disparity badhi hai.

Highlights:

1. Income Growth Disparities: Nitin Desai's article highlights a two-fold division between low-growth States
(NEC group) and higher-growth States (SWNW group).
2. Widening Gap: The per capita State product ratio has increased, showing growing disparities between the
two groups.
3. Liberalization Impact: The gap between the two groups widened during the period of liberalization.

Original Text:

As stated by Desai, the liberalisation phase has been marked by a substantial shift in manufacturing and even
infrastructure investment from the public sector to the private sector, the high growth of export-oriented high-tech
services, the proliferation of start-ups in the IT sector, the growing integration with the global economy, and the
growing dependence on higher-end skills. The higher-growth States were better-placed to benefit from this change
because of their strong private sector, a long tradition of higher education, and coastal locations, which eased global
interactions.

Translation (Hinglish):

Jaise ki Desai ne kaha hai, liberalisation phase mein manufacturing aur infrastructure investment ka substantial shift
public sector se private sector ki taraf dekha gaya, export-oriented high-tech services ka high growth, IT sector mein
start-ups ki proliferation, global economy ke saath badhta hua integration, aur higher-end skills par badhta hua
dependence. Higher-growth States is badlav se behtar faida utha paaye kyunki unke paas strong private sector, higher
education ka lamba tradition, aur coastal locations thi, jo global interactions ko asaan banati thi.

Highlights:

1. Shift in Investment: A significant shift in manufacturing and infrastructure investment from the public sector
to the private sector during liberalisation.
 2. Growth of High-Tech Services: Export-oriented high-tech services and IT sector start-ups saw high growth.
3. State Advantages: Higher-growth States benefited from a strong private sector, higher education tradition,
and coastal locations.

Original Text:

The country can succeed in reducing the widening gap between higher-growth States and low-growth States if it can
use its demographic dividend properly. The demographic projections show that five Northern and Central (NC)
States—Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh—will account for 91.6 per cent of the same-named
increase in the working-age population between 2030 and 2050. If this demographic dividend can be properly
utilised, we can succeed in reducing the widening gap between the higher-growth and low-growth States somewhat.
According to Desai, this can be done by encouraging a national value chain in manufacturing. However, making the
low-growth States a part of a national manufacturing chain would require massive investments in logistics and
manufacturing in low-growth States, skill development, and organised support for local micro, small, and medium
enterprises, which can become part of it, and much more. However, as emphasised by Desai, the low-growth States
cannot do all this without some form of support from the Union Government as their per capita revenue is much less
than the higher-growth States.

Translation (Hinglish):

Desai kehta hai ki desh higher-growth States aur low-growth States ke beech widening gap ko tabhi kam kar sakta hai
agar apne demographic dividend ko sahi tareeke se istemal kare. Demographic projections dikhati hain ki paanch
Northern aur Central (NC) States—Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Bihar, aur Madhya Pradesh—2030 aur 2050 ke beech
working-age population mein 91.6% ka increase account karega. Agar is demographic dividend ko properly utilise
kiya jaa sake, to hum higher-growth aur low-growth States ke beech gap ko kuch had tak kam kar sakte hain. Desai
ke hisaab se, yeh national value chain in manufacturing ko encourage karke kiya jaa sakta hai. Lekin, low-growth
States ko national manufacturing chain ka hissa banane ke liye, unmein logistics aur manufacturing mein massive
investments, skill development, aur local micro, small, aur medium enterprises ko support ki zarurat hogi, jo is chain
ka hissa ban sakti hain, aur bhi kai cheezein. Lekin, Desai ne yeh bhi kaha ki low-growth States bina Union
Government ke kuch support ke yeh sab nahi kar sakte, kyunki unka per capita revenue higher-growth States ke
mukable kaafi kam hai.

Highlights:

1. Demographic Dividend: Utilising the demographic dividend can help reduce the gap between higher-growth
and low-growth States.
2. High Growth States' Advantage: High-growth States have an advantage due to the rising working-age
population in Northern and Central States.
3. Need for Investments: Significant investments in logistics, manufacturing, and skill development in low-
growth States are necessary for their integration into the national manufacturing chain.
4. Support from Union Government: Low-growth States need Union Government support due to their lower
per capita revenue.

Original Text:

APPENDIX II TO CHAPTER 57: VIKSIT PANCHAYATS OFFER US A PATHWAY TO VIKSIT BHARAT

Decades before the term 'Viksit Bharat' was coined, Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali held out an Indian vision:
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Where knowledge is free, into that heaven of freedom, my
Father, let my country awake." This encapsulates Viksit Bharat. With visible changes in many sectors, India is
moving rapidly towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Though urbanization is making rapid strides, 14.1%
of our rural population (as per World Bank) governed by Gram Panchayats still has miles to go. The current Amrit
Kaal cusp calls for us to examine the crucial role of Panchayats led by Sarpanches. As they play a pivotal role in
grassroots empowerment and societal progress, it is essential to keep them at the centre of India's developmental
agenda, anchored by the decentralization of authority.

Translation (Hinglish):

APPENDIX II TO CHAPTER 57: VIKSIT PANCHAYATS HUMARI VIKSIT BHARAT KI OR EK RAASTA

Dikhate hain

'Viksit Bharat' shabd ke coin hone se kai dashkon pehle, Rabindranath Tagore ki Gitanjali ne ek Indian vision diya
tha: "Jahan mann bina dar ke ho aur sir uncha ho. Jahan gyaan free ho, us swarg mein meri desh ko jagao." Yeh
Viksit Bharat ko encapsulate karta hai. Kai sectors mein visible changes ke saath, India 2047 tak ek developed nation
banne ki taraf tezi se badh raha hai. Halanki urbanization tezi se badh raha hai, phir bhi hamari 14.1% rural
population (World Bank ke hisaab se), jo Gram Panchayats ke dwara govern hoti hai, ko kaafi raasta tay karna hai.
Abhi jo Amrit Kaal hai, usmein humein Panchayats ke mahatvapurn role ko samajhna zaroori hai, jo Sarpanches ke
dwara chalaye jaate hain. Yeh grassroots empowerment aur societal progress mein pivotal role play karte hain, isliye
inhe India ki developmental agenda ke centre mein rakha jaana chahiye, jo decentralization of authority ke saath
anchored ho.

Highlights:

1. Viksit Bharat Vision: The vision of Viksit Bharat is echoed in Tagore's Gitanjali, reflecting aspirations for
freedom and knowledge.
2. India's Development Progress: India is on the path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, though rural
areas still need significant development.
3. Role of Panchayats: Panchayats, led by Sarpanches, are crucial for grassroots empowerment and should be
central to India's development agenda.

Original Text:

Devolution of power: A Reserve Bank of India report highlights that states with a higher devolution index perform
better on socio-economic development. So, for Viksit Bharat, Gram Panchayats (GPs) need to operate independently.
They must identify, plan, and implement projects with agility, aligning them with local needs established through
community consultations. The government has categorized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into neatly
defined Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and issued guidelines for theme-based planning. The GP
Development Plan (GPDP) necessitates the formation of a GP Planning Facilitation Team (GPPFT) at each GP as a
forum to facilitate the participation of various community stakeholders and departmental representatives and guide
the planning and implementation of initiatives.

Translation (Hinglish):

Shakti ka Devolution: Reserve Bank of India ki ek report yeh highlight karti hai ki un states ka socio-economic
development behtar hota hai jinka devolution index zyada hota hai. Toh, Viksit Bharat ke liye, Gram Panchayats
(GPs) ko independently operate karna zaroori hai. Unhe projects ko identify, plan aur implement karna hoga agility
ke saath, aur unhe local needs ke saath align karna hoga jo community consultations ke zariye establish ki gayi hain.
Government ne Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ko neatly defined Local Sustainable Development Goals
(LSDGs) mein categorize kiya hai aur theme-based planning ke liye guidelines issue ki hain. GP Development Plan
(GPDP) ko implement karne ke liye har GP mein ek GP Planning Facilitation Team (GPPFT) banani zaroori hai, jo
various community stakeholders aur departmental representatives ki participation ko facilitate karegi aur initiatives ke
planning aur implementation ko guide karegi.

Highlights:

1. Devolution and Socio-Economic Development: States with higher devolution perform better on socio-
economic development.
2. Empowering Panchayats: Gram Panchayats need to operate independently and focus on planning and
implementing projects based on local needs.
3. LSDGs and GPDP: The government has established Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and
encourages the creation of a GP Planning Facilitation Team (GPPFT) to guide initiatives.

Original Text:

For achieving LSDGs, the devolution of three Fs (funds, functions, and functionaries) is crucial. This will empower
GPs and make their functioning transparent, accountable, and efficient. The devolution of powers and functions to
GPs varies considerably across the country. Kerala, for example, has devolved major functions to GPs. Its welfare
programme Kudumbashree has made a significant difference in the lives of citizens. Similarly, Karnataka has
devolved powers to GPs and introduced a system of preparing a GP Human Development Index. We need collective
effort in various states to devolve authority to GPs and leverage their capacity to achieve our collective aspirations.

Translation (Hinglish):

LSDGs ko achieve karne ke liye, teen Fs (funds, functions, aur functionaries) ka devolution bohot zaroori hai. Isse
GPs ko empower kiya jaa sakega aur unka functioning transparent, accountable, aur efficient ho sakega. Power aur
functions ka devolution GPs ko across the country kaafi alag-alag tareeqon se kiya gaya hai. Kerala, for example, ne
GPs ko major functions devolve kiye hain. Unka welfare programme Kudumbashree ne citizens ki zindagi mein
significant difference banaya hai. Waise hi, Karnataka ne GPs ko powers devolve kiye hain aur ek system introduce
kiya hai jisme GP Human Development Index prepare hota hai. Humein alag-alag states mein collective effort ki
zarurat hai taaki GPs ko authority devolve kiya ja sake aur unki capacity ko leverage karke hum apne collective
aspirations ko achieve kar sakein.

Highlights:

1. Devolution of Three Fs: Devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries is crucial to empower Gram
Panchayats (GPs).
2. State Variations in Devolution: Kerala and Karnataka have effectively devolved powers to GPs, leading to
significant improvements in governance.
3. Collective Effort Needed: A collective effort across states is required to devolve authority to GPs and
leverage their potential.

Original Text:

Data for democratic decisions: India is leading the way for the world with digital technology to transform citizen
services, exemplified by innovations like Aadhaar, UPI, Co-win, and ABHA. Another useful innovation, the
Universal Citizen Interface is expected to act as an interface between citizens and government welfare schemes at the
GP level. This tool's data orientation can guide the village Sarpanch on domain and locality-specific issues, enabling
prioritization, planning, and alignment with state and central schemes. By disseminating information on various
welfare schemes in local languages, GPs can use its potential for hyper-local problem-solving at scale.

Translation (Hinglish):

Democratic decisions ke liye Data: India duniya ke liye digital technology ke zariye citizen services ko transform
karne mein aage hai, jiska example Aadhaar, UPI, Co-win, aur ABHA jaise innovations se diya ja sakta hai. Ek aur
useful innovation, Universal Citizen Interface, expect kiya ja raha hai ki yeh citizens aur government welfare
schemes ke beech ek interface ka kaam karega GP level par. Is tool ka data orientation village Sarpanch ko domain
aur locality-specific issues pe guide kar sakta hai, jo prioritization, planning, aur state aur central schemes ke saath
alignment mein madad karega. Local languages mein various welfare schemes ke baare mein information disseminate
karke, GPs iski potential ko hyper-local problem-solving mein use kar sakte hain at scale.

Highlights:

1. Digital Innovation: India is leading the world in using digital technology to improve citizen services (e.g.,
Aadhaar, UPI, Co-win, ABHA).
2. Universal Citizen Interface: The new tool can help GPs with domain-specific issues and align with state and
central schemes.
3. Hyper-Local Problem Solving: GPs can use digital tools to solve local problems more effectively by
disseminating welfare information in local languages.

Original Text:

Empower women leaders for a Viksit transformation: With women comprising nearly half of India's population, the
participation of women at all levels of governance is the need of the hour. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act
mandates 33.3% reservation for women and marginalized communities in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
nationwide. Various instances show how decisions taken by empowered women have led to a profound societal
transformation. Take the case of Jyoti Behar Devi, Sarpanch from Gumla, Jharkhand, who stopped the sale and
consumption of alcohol in her panchayat and directed people towards livelihood opportunities. Anita Devi, Sarpanch
from Gaya, Bihar, converted her vehicle into a 24×7 ambulance, mobilized multiple stakeholders, and led last-mile
convergence, which reduced home deliveries from 65% to 8% in less than a year.

Translation (Hinglish):

Women leaders ko empower karo Viksit transformation ke liye: India ki abadi ka lagbhag aadha hissa auraton ka hai,
isliye governance ke har level par women ki participation bohot zaroori hai. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act ne
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) mein women aur marginalized communities ke liye 33.3% reservation mandatorily
diya hai across the country. Kai examples dikhate hain kaise empowered women ke decisions ne profound societal
transformation laayi hai. Jaise Jyoti Behar Devi, Sarpanch Gumla, Jharkhand ki case ko dekho, jinhone apne
panchayat mein sharab bechne aur peene ko rok diya aur logon ko livelihood opportunities ki taraf direct kiya. Anita
Devi, Sarpanch Gaya, Bihar ki case mein, unhone apni vehicle ko 24×7 ambulance mein convert kiya, kai
stakeholders ko mobilize kiya, aur last-mile convergence lead ki, jis se home deliveries 65% se ghata kar 8% ho gayi
ek saal se bhi kam samay mein.

Highlights:
 1. Women Empowerment: Women, making up nearly half of India's population, must be actively involved in
governance at all levels.
2. Legal Mandates: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mandates 33.3% reservation for women and
marginalized communities in Panchayats.
3. Successful Women Leadership: Empowered women like Jyoti Behar Devi and Anita Devi have brought
about significant positive changes in their communities.

Original Text:

India has an opportunity to harness the potential of elected women representatives at PRIs to drive crucial social
behavior changes in health, education, water, agriculture, sanitation, and more. Empowering these women with
additional support can spark millions of micro innovations required to address local challenges.

Translation (Hinglish):

India ke paas ek mauka hai elected women representatives ko PRIs mein empower karne ka, taaki health, education,
water, agriculture, sanitation aur aur bhi kai areas mein social behavior changes laa sakein. In women ko additional
support dena unmein millions of micro innovations ko spark kar sakta hai, jo local challenges ko address karne ke
liye zaroori hain.

Highlights:

1. Empowering Women Representatives: Empowering elected women representatives at PRIs can bring
significant changes in health, education, and more.
2. Micro Innovations: Providing additional support to these women can spark micro-innovations needed for
addressing local challenges.

Original Text:

Create motivation and competence: India has some of the world's best policies, legislation, and welfare schemes. The
efficacy of these is determined by an effective team with an enabling structure to drive the delivery of quality services
on time. Top leaders at all levels can deliver on their development agendas thanks to such teams. This needs to
happen just as efficiently at the rural level.

Translation (Hinglish):

Motivation aur competence create karo: India ke paas duniya ke kuch best policies, legislation, aur welfare schemes
hain. Inki efficacy uss effective team par depend karti hai, jo ek enabling structure ke saath time par quality services
deliver kar sake. Top leaders har level par apne development agendas ko deliver kar paate hain aise teams ki wajah
se. Yehi cheez rural level par bhi utni hi efficiently hona chahiye.

Highlights:

1. Effective Team: The success of India's best policies and welfare schemes depends on the effectiveness of
teams that can deliver quality services on time.
 2. Need for Efficiency at Rural Level: The same efficiency in service delivery is needed at the rural level to
achieve developmental goals.

Original Text:

Andhra Pradesh has enabled the setting up of a 'village secretariat' at the GP level to induct teams for good
governance, streamline administrative processes, enhance service delivery, and empower local communities. If scaled
up, this model, with appropriate customization as per local contexts, can empower more GPs across the country.

Translation (Hinglish):

Andhra Pradesh ne GP level par 'village secretariat' banane ka kaam kiya hai, jisme teams ko good governance ke liye
induct kiya jaata hai, administrative processes ko streamline kiya jaata hai, service delivery ko enhance kiya jaata hai,
aur local communities ko empower kiya jaata hai. Agar is model ko scale up kiya jaaye, toh local contexts ke hisaab
se customization ke saath, yeh model poore desh ke zyada GPs ko empower kar sakta hai.

Highlights:

1. Village Secretariat: Andhra Pradesh's 'village secretariat' model aims to improve governance, service
delivery, and empower local communities.
2. Scalability: If scaled up and customized according to local needs, this model can empower more GPs across
India.

Original Text:

Our national aspiration of Viksit Bharat will require collective reflection aimed at a re-imagination of how Gram
Panchayats are enabled to deliver services to citizens.

Translation (Hinglish):

Hamare national aspiration Viksit Bharat ko achieve karne ke liye, humein collective reflection ki zaroorat hai jo yeh
sochne par focused ho ke kaise Gram Panchayats ko enable kiya jaaye taaki wo citizens ko services deliver kar
sakein.

Highlights:

1. Collective Reflection: Achieving Viksit Bharat will require collective reflection on how to empower Gram
Panchayats for efficient service delivery.

Original Text:

Vikshit panchayats can lead us to Tagore's Heaven of freedom: Vikshit Panchayats and Vikshit Bharat are two sides
of the same coin, as the goal implies that every citizen of our country must have access to quality public services and
government schemes and benefits. It is only when no one is left behind that we can say with pride that we are citizens
of a developed country.

Translation (Hinglish):

Vikshit Panchayats humein Tagore ke 'Heaven of freedom' tak le jaa sakti hain: Vikshit Panchayats aur Vikshit
Bharat ek hi medal ke do pehlu hain, kyunki iska goal yeh hai ki hamare desh ke har citizen ko quality public services
aur government schemes aur benefits tak access ho. Sirf tabhi jab koi peeche nahi rahega, hum yeh garv se keh
sakenge ki hum ek developed desh ke citizens hain.

Highlights:

1. Vikshit Panchayats: Vikshit Panchayats are essential for achieving a developed Bharat, where every citizen
has access to quality services and benefits.
2. Inclusion: A developed country is one where no citizen is left behind in accessing services and opportunities.