‘GEOGRAPHER’S VIEW ~ 7998222312 RIZWAN SIR Balanced Regional Development > Introduction :- Balanced regional development is an important condition for the harmonious and smooth development of a country. It does not imply equal development of all regions of a country. Rather it indicates utilisation of development potential of all areas as per its capacity so that the benefit of overall economic growth is shared by the inhabitants of all the different regions of a country. Thus the regional balance implies uniform distribution pattern of the planned investment among different regions of a country. Alternatively, regional balance demands distribution of investment in such a way so that the regional rates of growth in different parts of the country be equally attained, eliminating the regional disparities prevailing in the country. » Need for Balanced Regional Development in India : 1) To Minimise Backwash Effects :- According to Gunnar Myrdal, the regional disparities in the developing countries have been caused by the strong backwash effects and weak spread effects. The profit motive in a capitalist system acentuates disparity by the free play of market forces. So, a country like India should endeavour to minimise the backwash effects through deliberate state intervention. ‘Need for Faster Growth in Economy :- A balanced regional development is needed for our economy because the advancement of the entire economy hinges on the development of all regions keeping in pace with their factor endowments. In the long run, the progress of the national economy will be the result of the growth realised by different regions, To Accelerate the Development of Economy :- Balanced regional development is required to ensure accelerated pace of development. It also facilitates the development of every region based on the availability of natural resources in that particular area, Maximum utilization of manpower available in that area can also be ensured for the development. 4) To Develop the Economy Smoothly :- It facilitates hassle free development of the economy. If all areas are equally developed then there is possibly of mutual co-operation in these areas. In case of regional imbalances, lower level of income of backward areas will succeed in diluting the growth achieved by the developed areas. It will affect the goods and services being produced in the developed areas. Secondly with the help of balanced regional development barriers affecting transport and supply of goods etc. can also be removed. It will also help in minimizing the inflationary pressure in the economy. 5) To Develop and Conserve Resources :- The major objective of regional development is to ensure 1|Page GEOGRAPHER’S VIEW - 7998222312 RIZWAN SIR,maximum utiliozation of available local resources. Process of regional development also put control on the destructive use of resources. Establishment of different industrial unit makes possible for the better utilization and conservation of natural and human resources available at local level 6) To Promote Large Employment Opportunities :- Availability of regional disparities in under- developed economy encourages income employment and production at low level. Establishment of industries in different areas and development of infrastructure facilities in backward areas create more employment opportunities. It also improves per capital production and income, TD. To Maintain Political Stability :- Balanced Regional Development is also required to maintain political stability. If regional disparities exist in some areas and inerease in income in other areas then it may become a danger point for the nation as a whole. Backward areas demand separation from the main stream to fulfill their dream of development. 8) To Defend the Country :~ Regional development is quite important from the point to save the country from foreign aggression. If all areas are equally developed and industries are quite dispersed then air attack can be faced without any hurdles: If some regions have been developed and industries are concentrated in some areas the external aggression can put the economy in problem. Thus, balanced regional development is necessary from the view point of national defence and its safety. 9) To Control Social Evils :~ With the help of balanced regional development concentration of industries in big towns and cities ean be easily controlled and it also helps in removing social evils in these areas, Industrial concentration encourages different types of pollution and thus, adversely affeets the health and efficiency of people living in that particular area, Cost of living also increases which ultimately improves poverty and public unrest. Balanced Regional Development is necessary to control all those social evils. > Measures for Balanced Regional Development in India:- 1) The priority was given to programs like agriculture, community development, irrigation, local development works, etc. which spread over the entire area within the shortest possible time. 2) Ensuring provision of facilities such as power, water supply, transport and communications, training institutions, ete. in areas which were lagging behind industrially or where there was greater need for providing opportunities for employment . Launching programs for the expansion of village and small industries. In the location of new enterprises, whether public or private, consideration given to the need for developing a balanced economy in different parts of the country in particular, this aspect was to be kept in view where the location of an industry was not determined almost entirely by the GEOGRAPHER’S VIEW - 7998222312 RIZWAN SIR,‘GEOGRAPHER'S VIEW — 7998222312 RIZWAN SIR availability of raw materials or other natural resources. Programs of agriculture, community development, village and small industries, irrigation and power, communications and social services have the widest coverage, and aim at providing basic facilities and services to people in all regions. Special schemes were formulated for particular areas which had difficult problems to face. The program included medium as well as minor irrigation schemes, construction of embankments for flood protection and land reclamation and contour bunding schemes. In the location of public sector projects, the claims of relatively backward areas haye been kept in view wherever this could be done without giving up essential technical and economic criteria, The location of several important projects like the steel plants has been determined on the basis of export study and on economic considerations. Efforts were made to enlarge the possibilities of development in areas which have in the past been relatively backward. Thus, for instance, the intensive development of agriculture, extension of irrigation, village and small industries, large-scale expansion of power, development of roads and road transport, provision for universal education forthe age group 6-11 years and larger opportunities foe secondary, technical and vocational education, improvements in conditions of living wad water supply, and programs for the welfare of scheduled tribes and castes and other backward classes will go a long way to provide throughout the country the foundations for rapid economic growth Poverty and under employment are especially acute in areas with heavy pressure of population and in those with scanty development of natural resources. The large program of rural works will help expand opportunities for work in these as well as other areas. In some parts of the country there will be considerable development in plantation industries, especially tea, coffee and rubber. Large industrial projects, river valley projects and other described later will also serve as vital centers for future growth. 10) Location for basic industries has generally to be based on technical and economic considerations. Moreover, in the case of industries which may be able to export a significant proportion of their output, in the national interest the location of new or additional capacity has to be guided by the need to secure economies of scale and to enhance the ability to compete in foreign markets. 11) Village and small industries are spread all over the country and various forms of assistance provided by the Central and State Governments are made available in the areas according to the programs which are undertaken. Industrial estates have been set up in all states, and increasingly they are to be located in the smaller towns and rural areas, GEOGRAPHER’S VIEW ~ 7998222312 RIZWAN SIR