REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN INFRASTRUCTURAL SECTOR OF NORTH EAST INDIA

Abstract

Regional disparities are simple expression of economic dualism. It indicates the co-existence of
comparatively developed and economically backward or depressed regions or states. In spite of various
major attempts to reduce regional disparities in the plan documents the regional disparities have
continued to exist in India both at state and area level till today which has resulted into discontentment
not among the people living in the backward regions or states threatening the national unity and
integrity. With the gradual withdrawal of state participation in the process of development as a part of
the New Economic Policy (NEP), the regional disparities in India are expected to be widen because the
free market forces tend to accelerate regional disparities. Therefore it is appropriate time to assess the
levels of development between states /regions of India so as to introduce certain policy measures within
the framework of the NEP narrowing the levels of inter-state disparities in economic development.
The present paper seeks to measure the levels of development and degree of disparities of infrastructural
development between the states of North East India based on the latest data available