What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India?
1. Regional disparity means unequal levels of
Regional disparity means unequal levels of development, income, infrastructure and HDI, across regions of a country.
2. Diversity denotes variety of languages
Diversity denotes variety of languages, cultures, ethnicities and identities, a social fact that is not inherently unequal.
3. Disparity is measurable and policy-driven
Disparity is measurable and policy-driven, diversity is descriptive and value-neutral; the two must not be conflated.
4. India’s disparity is serious: BIMARU states
India’s disparity is serious: BIMARU states lag while southern and western states lead in per-capita income and HDI.
5. Causes include colonial legacy
Causes include colonial legacy, uneven resource endowments, agro-climatic conditions and historical neglect.
6. Disparity fuels migration
Disparity fuels migration, regionalism, separatist demands and uneven political bargaining, as with special category claims.
7. The North-East and Himalayan states face
The North-East and Himalayan states face terrain, connectivity and insurgency handicaps that compound disparity.
8. Government responses: Finance Commission devolution
Government responses: Finance Commission devolution, special category status, Aspirational Districts and NITI Aayog indices.
9. Way forward: region-specific planning
Way forward: region-specific planning, infrastructure and investment while treating diversity as national strength.
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