The concept of backwardness in development planning refers to regions that lag behind in socio-economic progress. These areas, often rural, suffer from underdeveloped infrastructure, limited economic opportunities, and various socio-cultural disadvantages. The Indian government has implemented several programs to address regional disparities, focusing on the development of these backward areas. This article delves into the understanding of backwardness, the evolution of backward area planning in India, the identification of backward areas, and the measures taken to promote their development.
Understanding Backwardness
Backwardness is a relative and multi-dimensional concept, varying based on time, space, and perception. It can refer to spatial backwardness (infrastructure, geography) or structural backwardness (social and economic factors). Defining backwardness can be complex, as there is no universally accepted definition due to its multi-faceted nature.
Why Does Backwardness Exist?
Despite significant government investments in development projects, economic growth often becomes polarized at certain favorable locations. This polarization results in regional inequalities, where some areas experience rapid development while others are left behind. These backward areas lack resources and opportunities, making it difficult for their residents to benefit from broader economic growth.
People and Backwardness
The backwardness of a place often affects the people living there. Individuals in these regions face challenges such as poor access to education, healthcare, and employment. Addressing the development of backward areas, therefore, becomes essential to improving the socio-economic conditions of their populations.
Backward Area Planning in India
India is among the few developing countries that have implemented comprehensive development programs for its backward regions. With a diverse population and landforms, the country has different patterns of development across its regions. The planning for backward areas in India has evolved over time, with a focus on balancing regional growth with justice.
Evolution of Backward Area Planning
- First Five Year Plan (1951-56): This plan allocated resources for the development of scarcity-prone areas.
- Second Plan (1956-61): Focused on the establishment of large industrial complexes in mineral-rich backward areas, especially in tribal regions of central India.
- Third Plan (1961-66): Devoted an entire chapter to balanced regional development, emphasizing the importance of reducing regional disparities.
- Fourth Plan (1969-74): Marked a watershed moment in backward area planning, with specific programs targeting industrial backward areas, North-East development, and drought-prone areas (see image).
- Fifth Plan (1972-79): Focused on ecological restoration of backward areas, with programs such as tribal area development, desert development, and hill area development in the Western Ghats.
- Sixth Plan (1980-85): No new programs were introduced specifically for backward areas, although ongoing schemes continued.
- Seventh Plan (1985-90): Introduced the border area development program in 1987.
After the Seventh Plan, no new program for backward area development was initiated, though in 1997, the Planning Commission identified 100 of the most backward districts in the country based on indicators like per capita income, poverty levels, literacy rates, and infrastructure availability.
Identifying Backward Areas
India uses two broad approaches to operationalize the concept of backwardness:
- Index-Based Approach:
- Ranks areas using an overall index based on various socio-economic parameters.
- Treats areas below a certain cut-off point as backward.
- Problem Area-Based Approach:
- Identifies problem areas by specifying development constraints that can only be mitigated by special measures.
Various committees have contributed to the identification of backward areas. For instance:
- The Pande Committee (1969) emphasized the percentage of the population engaged in industry.
- The Chakravarty Committee highlighted factors such as the percentage of the agricultural population, irrigated area, net sown area, and literacy.
During the Fourth Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission appointed a study group that used 15 parameters to identify 238 districts across India as backward.
Characteristics of Backward Areas
For an area to be identified as backward for the purpose of planning, it must possess the following characteristics:
- Potential for Development: The area should have untapped resources that can be developed.
- Inhibiting Factors: There should be factors that prevent the area from realizing its full development potential.
- Need for Special Programs: Special programs must be necessary to remove bottlenecks and enable development.
Programs for Backward Area Development
India has launched several backward area development programs over the years, each focusing on specific regions or challenges. These programs include:
- Industrial Backward Area Program (1970): Focused on promoting industrial development in backward regions.
- North-East Development Program (1972): Aimed at addressing the unique challenges of the North-East region.
- Drought-Prone Area Development Program (1973): Targeted regions vulnerable to droughts.
- Tribal Area Development Program (1974): Focused on the socio-economic upliftment of tribal populations.
- Hill Area Development Program (1974): Designed for the development of hilly regions, particularly in the Western Ghats.
- Desert Development Program (1977): Addressed the ecological challenges of desert areas.
- Border Area Development Program (1987): Focused on developing regions near India’s borders (see image).
NITI Aayog’s Three-Year Action Plan
NITI Aayog, the successor of the Planning Commission, formulated a three-year action plan for backward area development. This plan focuses on various regions, including:
- North Himalayan States
- North Eastern States
- Coastal Regions
- Islands
- Desert Areas
- Drought-Prone Areas
Challenges in Backward Area Development
Despite the numerous programs and efforts, several challenges continue to hinder the development of backward areas:
- Outdated Approaches: Many programs use outdated methodologies that do not address modern development needs.
- Poor Project Design: Inadequate planning and design lead to inefficiencies in program implementation.
- Lack of Financial Resources: Insufficient funding limits the scope and effectiveness of backward area development projects.
- Weak Institutional Support: Many institutions involved in backward area development lack the capacity and resources to implement programs effectively.
Measures for the Development of Backward Areas
Given the uneven distribution of natural and human resources across different regions, some areas lag behind in development. To address these inequalities, various governments have provided numerous fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to promote development in backward areas. These measures include:
- Tax Incentives: Offering tax breaks to industries and businesses operating in backward areas to encourage investment.
- Subsidies: Providing subsidies for infrastructure development, such as road construction, electricity, and water supply.
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Creating SEZs in backward areas to attract businesses and boost local employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Backward area planning in India has undergone significant evolution, with various programs and policies introduced to address regional disparities. By focusing on regions with development potential but facing specific constraints, the government has attempted to promote balanced regional growth. However, challenges such as outdated methodologies, weak institutional support, and inadequate financial resources need to be addressed to ensure the success of backward area development programs. A coordinated effort, backed by robust financial resources and modern approaches, is crucial for the sustainable development of India’s backward regions.
- Discuss the evolution of backward area planning in India and its impact on regional development. (250 words)
- Evaluate the two broad approaches—index-based and problem area-based—for identifying backward areas in India. (250 words)
- Analyze the challenges faced by backward area development programs in India and suggest measures to overcome them. (250 words)
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