POLITICS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A Case Study of Maharashtra

Book Details

• Author: Gautam Kamble, Shreenivas Khandewale and G.S. Khwaja

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2020

• ISBN: 9788131611609

• Pages: 288

• Cover: Hardcover

• Release Date: 01-12-2020

About the Book

This insightful volume delves into the political economy of regional development in Maharashtra, with a focused lens on the Vidarbha region. Despite Maharashtra's status as one of India's wealthiest and most industrially advanced states, Vidarbha remains significantly underdeveloped, plagued by regional inequalities, social stagnation, and lack of inclusive progress. This book traces the historical roots and structural dynamics that have led to developmental neglect in Vidarbha, emphasizing how systemic disparities have fueled demands for separate statehood.

Drawing on official reports, including the High-Level Committee (HLC) Report of 2013, and comprehensive statistical analysis, the authors critically examine key phases of development and imbalance from 1960 to 2017. They highlight pressing issues such as malnutrition, unemployment, and farmers’ suicides, framing them not just as economic challenges but as symptoms of broader policy failure. The book calls for a radical transformation in public policy to bridge these enduring gaps.

A significant contribution to the fields of development studies, political science, and regional planning, this work provides valuable insights for policymakers, economists, and scholars invested in social equity and inclusive growth in India.