Regional Imbalance and Disparities in Karnataka: Progressive

Reduction in Regional Disparities in the pace of Development

V. Rama Krishna, * Mrs. D. Smitha**

Abstract

Development is the process which improves the quality of life and in this backdrop economic
planning is undertaken for bringing out uniform regional development. At present every state
in India faces the problem of regional imbalances in development. In this context the present
paper will make an attempt to assess the persisting regional imbalances in socio-economic
development in North Karnataka regions. Regional Imbalance and regional conflicts are not
unique to India; no state can afford to ignore its region specific conflicts whether they arise
on account of disparities or for other reasons in socio-economic parameters. Various
committees and recommendations outlined were meant to identify backwardness for specific
policy interventions like further industrialisation and identification of areas stricken with
acute poverty for special attention etc. History of Karnataka shows that North Karnataka was
more developed politically, economically and culturally. Inspite of great history of north
Karnataka the question remains why north Karnataka regions is and remained backward
region even though the nation is developing economically and politically in all the areas. The
Union Government has launched a programme the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) in
January 2007. In order to reduce the disparities and improve the levels of development
potential targets for various indicators had been estimated for poorly developed districts.
The districts which are low developed require improvements of various dimensions in
different indicators for enhancing the levels of development. The paper also evaluates the ongoing demand for separate statehood. Both the Union and State Governments have crucial
role to play in reducing disparities and Promoting balanced development in which all areas
and regions are enabled to develop.
Key Words: Regional Imbalance, Balanced Development, Socio-economic Indicators,
Policies
*Assistant Professor, Department of Studies and Research in Political Science, Tumkur
University, Tumakuru-572103, E-mail: rahul_rk2004@yahoo.co.in
**Lecturer in Political Science, Sri Basaveswara P U College, Sondekoppa Road,
Nelamangala- 562130, Bangalore Rural District. E mail: dsmitha10@gmail.com