Essays on regional divide in Maharashtra

Abstract

Addressing regional disparities in economic development is a central theme in newlinepolicymaking across the world. In this dissertation, I analyse different dimensions of newlinedevelopment across the three regions of Maharashtra- Marathwada, Vidarbha, and newlinethe Rest of Maharashtra. newlineRegional differences in economic outcomes across Maharashtra has remained a matter newlineof concern ever since the state came into existence in 1960. The state of Maharashtra newlinewas carved out of erstwhile provinces- Bombay, Hyderabad and Central Province- as newlineper the State Reorganization Act, 1956 which sanctioned the demand for linguistic newlinestates. However, the report submitted by the State Reorganization Commission in newline1955 while recommending a Marathi-speaking state also acknowledged that there newlinehas been a long-standing demand for a separate state for the region of Vidarbha. newlineWhen the bill for State Reorganization Act was presented in the Parliament, this newlinerecommendation for the state of Vidarbha was not accepted and a single state of Maharashtra including the regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada was formed in 1960. newlineVidarbha and Marathwada are the relatively less developed regions of the state. To newlineensure that these regions do not get neglected in the planning process, Article 371(2)