Sub Regionalism: Regional Disparities & Development | Maharashtra State PSC (MPSC): Preparation - MPSC (Maharastra) PDF Download

 Page 1


   
 
2 
Politics of Modern 
Maharashtra 
 
2 
SUB REGIONALISM: REGIONAL 
DISPARITIES & DEVELOPMENT 
Unit Structure 
2.0 Introduction 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 INTRODUCTION 
The state of Maharashtra has always been a dominant force in controlling 
the micro factors and issues of different political powers and their core 
problems at sub regional level, but the inherent factor of macro level thought 
process of Maharashtra’s dominant leadership navigated its narrow-wasted 
interest bypassing the actual demands of Vidarbha, Konkan and 
Marathwada region. The dominance of Western Maharashtra’s political 
leadership subverted the sub-regional issues for decades to meet their 
agendas which paid rich political dividends to them but the disparity 
remained exposed and too appalling to mend the fences and gave birth to 
stark sub-regionalism. Here, we should try to focus our attention to the 
agriculture and industrial development not only in the whole of Maharashtra 
but also in the different pockets of sub regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada 
and Konkan, which pawed the way for lop-sided growth and create 
differences and narrow self-interest big enough to create dissatisfaction. 
DEMOGRAPHY OF MAHARASHTRA: 
We know as per the substantive information major political power shift has 
happened in western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s is political power is second 
highest after western Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s share in political power 
is a third highest in terms of category but Mumbai has always been a 
dominant in power sharing and has always shown strong power equation 
and played of pivotal role in state politics. Before we enter into the features 
of the state, the state of Maharashtra has four regions to enumerate – 
Page 2


   
 
2 
Politics of Modern 
Maharashtra 
 
2 
SUB REGIONALISM: REGIONAL 
DISPARITIES & DEVELOPMENT 
Unit Structure 
2.0 Introduction 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 INTRODUCTION 
The state of Maharashtra has always been a dominant force in controlling 
the micro factors and issues of different political powers and their core 
problems at sub regional level, but the inherent factor of macro level thought 
process of Maharashtra’s dominant leadership navigated its narrow-wasted 
interest bypassing the actual demands of Vidarbha, Konkan and 
Marathwada region. The dominance of Western Maharashtra’s political 
leadership subverted the sub-regional issues for decades to meet their 
agendas which paid rich political dividends to them but the disparity 
remained exposed and too appalling to mend the fences and gave birth to 
stark sub-regionalism. Here, we should try to focus our attention to the 
agriculture and industrial development not only in the whole of Maharashtra 
but also in the different pockets of sub regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada 
and Konkan, which pawed the way for lop-sided growth and create 
differences and narrow self-interest big enough to create dissatisfaction. 
DEMOGRAPHY OF MAHARASHTRA: 
We know as per the substantive information major political power shift has 
happened in western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s is political power is second 
highest after western Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s share in political power 
is a third highest in terms of category but Mumbai has always been a 
dominant in power sharing and has always shown strong power equation 
and played of pivotal role in state politics. Before we enter into the features 
of the state, the state of Maharashtra has four regions to enumerate – 
 
 
 
 
 
Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, ‘We can 
underline a vital point for all the readers of this chapter that western 
Maharashtra as a whole with each dominance of one party influence has 
created a controlling factor in terms of agricultural and industrial 
development, the land reforms has always been talked about, it brought the 
proper development and strong relationship between the land holders, the 
ryots, a powerful land holding peasant class came up which is strong and 
has grate lobby power. It was said that the political power controlling hands 
at the state and their relationship with the power at the Central Government 
brought about a strong mended for agricultural, education, institutional and 
industrialization development in western Maharashtra. The districts like 
Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik and Satara all started developing fast but 
other regions of Maharashtra show unfortunate no growth process. It is still 
said, the diversion of huge funds to western Maharashtra has created anger 
and animosity among the different regional leaders who resented towards 
this step-motherly treatment and forced them to voice. the issues of separate 
Vidarbha’ Proximity to Mumbai and the great powerful sugar-lobby gave 
western Maharashtra great vantage point. It was estimated by Dandekar 
committee on regional imbalances that more than two thousand crores 
would be needed to remove the appalling disparity and the backlog of 
Vidarbha, Marathwada and Konkan, but nothing has been done to remove 
the backlog which created further dissidents in state political affairs. Thus, 
to realize the complex process of the state of Maharashtra as a whole and 
the concept of regional disparity and integrative issues, we have to enter 
into the discussion of the features of the regions. 
 WESTERN MAHARASHTRA: 
It marks congenial relief, deccan plateau, watered by many rivers and has a 
natural topography. 
Economic development and political awareness :- It has witness sizeable 
growth and development in the field of economic, social and political 
sphere, specially Pune known as the “Oxford of the East” has always been 
the bed of education, political movements and the struggle of freedom 
movement as well by Tilak, Savarkar so this places gaining free eminence 
in its own way and the healthy growth of Social, Educational, Institutional 
growing and Proliferating with the coming of universal adult franchise 
(1952) and the development of Panchayat raj system (1962) and the 
Institution Building of local – self has given western Maharashtra 
importance in many fields. 
If we understand the political development along with Economic 
development and agricultural growth process, we have to understand the 
fact that this region is having good communication and conveyance facility, 
which had made this region well connected in transport and communication 
system which is instrumental in bringing about the proper growth of this 
region. 
Page 3


   
 
2 
Politics of Modern 
Maharashtra 
 
2 
SUB REGIONALISM: REGIONAL 
DISPARITIES & DEVELOPMENT 
Unit Structure 
2.0 Introduction 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 INTRODUCTION 
The state of Maharashtra has always been a dominant force in controlling 
the micro factors and issues of different political powers and their core 
problems at sub regional level, but the inherent factor of macro level thought 
process of Maharashtra’s dominant leadership navigated its narrow-wasted 
interest bypassing the actual demands of Vidarbha, Konkan and 
Marathwada region. The dominance of Western Maharashtra’s political 
leadership subverted the sub-regional issues for decades to meet their 
agendas which paid rich political dividends to them but the disparity 
remained exposed and too appalling to mend the fences and gave birth to 
stark sub-regionalism. Here, we should try to focus our attention to the 
agriculture and industrial development not only in the whole of Maharashtra 
but also in the different pockets of sub regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada 
and Konkan, which pawed the way for lop-sided growth and create 
differences and narrow self-interest big enough to create dissatisfaction. 
DEMOGRAPHY OF MAHARASHTRA: 
We know as per the substantive information major political power shift has 
happened in western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s is political power is second 
highest after western Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s share in political power 
is a third highest in terms of category but Mumbai has always been a 
dominant in power sharing and has always shown strong power equation 
and played of pivotal role in state politics. Before we enter into the features 
of the state, the state of Maharashtra has four regions to enumerate – 
 
 
 
 
 
Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, ‘We can 
underline a vital point for all the readers of this chapter that western 
Maharashtra as a whole with each dominance of one party influence has 
created a controlling factor in terms of agricultural and industrial 
development, the land reforms has always been talked about, it brought the 
proper development and strong relationship between the land holders, the 
ryots, a powerful land holding peasant class came up which is strong and 
has grate lobby power. It was said that the political power controlling hands 
at the state and their relationship with the power at the Central Government 
brought about a strong mended for agricultural, education, institutional and 
industrialization development in western Maharashtra. The districts like 
Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik and Satara all started developing fast but 
other regions of Maharashtra show unfortunate no growth process. It is still 
said, the diversion of huge funds to western Maharashtra has created anger 
and animosity among the different regional leaders who resented towards 
this step-motherly treatment and forced them to voice. the issues of separate 
Vidarbha’ Proximity to Mumbai and the great powerful sugar-lobby gave 
western Maharashtra great vantage point. It was estimated by Dandekar 
committee on regional imbalances that more than two thousand crores 
would be needed to remove the appalling disparity and the backlog of 
Vidarbha, Marathwada and Konkan, but nothing has been done to remove 
the backlog which created further dissidents in state political affairs. Thus, 
to realize the complex process of the state of Maharashtra as a whole and 
the concept of regional disparity and integrative issues, we have to enter 
into the discussion of the features of the regions. 
 WESTERN MAHARASHTRA: 
It marks congenial relief, deccan plateau, watered by many rivers and has a 
natural topography. 
Economic development and political awareness :- It has witness sizeable 
growth and development in the field of economic, social and political 
sphere, specially Pune known as the “Oxford of the East” has always been 
the bed of education, political movements and the struggle of freedom 
movement as well by Tilak, Savarkar so this places gaining free eminence 
in its own way and the healthy growth of Social, Educational, Institutional 
growing and Proliferating with the coming of universal adult franchise 
(1952) and the development of Panchayat raj system (1962) and the 
Institution Building of local – self has given western Maharashtra 
importance in many fields. 
If we understand the political development along with Economic 
development and agricultural growth process, we have to understand the 
fact that this region is having good communication and conveyance facility, 
which had made this region well connected in transport and communication 
system which is instrumental in bringing about the proper growth of this 
region. 
   
 
 
 
 
Economic Growth: - 
The Swadeshi Movement laid the foundation of development to a very large 
extent. This growth was started by Tilak, the architect of development in 
this region to a very large extent and it was his effort to bring about 
development in all spheres later, we have seen that the growth process of 
financial institution in this region primarily in remote rural areas and the 
knowledge transfer and expertise in related jobs created a strong advantage 
in this region in terms of economic growth. 
Agriculture: It is conclusive for agricultural development and many co-
operative industries based on agricultural food crops started growing 
rapidly. A number of other measures have been taken for the development 
of food crops and horticulture. 2249 hectares of land is under sugar 
cultivation. 60299 hectares of land is under the cultivation of cereals and 
pulses. The other important crops are oil seeds, cotton, spices and tobacco. 
The setting up of the Agriculture University at Rahuri, Agriculture Colleges 
and Research Institutions have contributed to this process. 
Social Composition: Western Maharashtra is a home ground of powerful 
caste Maratha – Kunbi, they are 41% of the total population, It should be 
said here that the non – Mahar scheduled caste are important the 
Brahminical population is restricted to the percentage peri fiery of only 4% 
and mainly spotted in Urban and Semi – Urban areas. 
 KONKAN: 
Consist of five districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. Mumbai as a part of Konkan occupies a dominant position. 
Though the Konkan land is rugged, but to add to the woe of this region, 
heavy rainfall and inferior soil texture among for any development, mainly 
subsistence agriculture prevails. We have already talked about agricultural 
problem of the regions, which result in poor subsistence level of agricultural 
growth. 
Industrialization:  As we can understand the relief is not conducive for any 
industrialization growth activity, except Thane district which has it own 
importance in the field of politics, industrial growth and related 
economically activity has proved to be a dependent body of Mumbai but 
Konkan has a whole has poor mineral resources in the region. But in terms 
of literacy and political involvement and active participation in political 
process. Konkan has its unique stand but the scale of migration of 
population which is happening radically due to the Konkan railway has 
proved to be the Maine reason in the influxes and Exodus of population 
elsewhere. The Trible which account of 36% of the population. Still have 
their occupation restricted and leave in the areas which are remote. But the 
growth of the Buddhist population which is 4% along with the growth of 
Muslim population coupled with the Dalit population, is not significant in 
the entire political structure of the Konkan region. Raigad District forms a 
mid part of Konkan, because of it nearness to Mumbai, It has higher level 
of Industrial development. Konkan, hold its importance is state politics 
Page 4


   
 
2 
Politics of Modern 
Maharashtra 
 
2 
SUB REGIONALISM: REGIONAL 
DISPARITIES & DEVELOPMENT 
Unit Structure 
2.0 Introduction 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 INTRODUCTION 
The state of Maharashtra has always been a dominant force in controlling 
the micro factors and issues of different political powers and their core 
problems at sub regional level, but the inherent factor of macro level thought 
process of Maharashtra’s dominant leadership navigated its narrow-wasted 
interest bypassing the actual demands of Vidarbha, Konkan and 
Marathwada region. The dominance of Western Maharashtra’s political 
leadership subverted the sub-regional issues for decades to meet their 
agendas which paid rich political dividends to them but the disparity 
remained exposed and too appalling to mend the fences and gave birth to 
stark sub-regionalism. Here, we should try to focus our attention to the 
agriculture and industrial development not only in the whole of Maharashtra 
but also in the different pockets of sub regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada 
and Konkan, which pawed the way for lop-sided growth and create 
differences and narrow self-interest big enough to create dissatisfaction. 
DEMOGRAPHY OF MAHARASHTRA: 
We know as per the substantive information major political power shift has 
happened in western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s is political power is second 
highest after western Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s share in political power 
is a third highest in terms of category but Mumbai has always been a 
dominant in power sharing and has always shown strong power equation 
and played of pivotal role in state politics. Before we enter into the features 
of the state, the state of Maharashtra has four regions to enumerate – 
 
 
 
 
 
Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, ‘We can 
underline a vital point for all the readers of this chapter that western 
Maharashtra as a whole with each dominance of one party influence has 
created a controlling factor in terms of agricultural and industrial 
development, the land reforms has always been talked about, it brought the 
proper development and strong relationship between the land holders, the 
ryots, a powerful land holding peasant class came up which is strong and 
has grate lobby power. It was said that the political power controlling hands 
at the state and their relationship with the power at the Central Government 
brought about a strong mended for agricultural, education, institutional and 
industrialization development in western Maharashtra. The districts like 
Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik and Satara all started developing fast but 
other regions of Maharashtra show unfortunate no growth process. It is still 
said, the diversion of huge funds to western Maharashtra has created anger 
and animosity among the different regional leaders who resented towards 
this step-motherly treatment and forced them to voice. the issues of separate 
Vidarbha’ Proximity to Mumbai and the great powerful sugar-lobby gave 
western Maharashtra great vantage point. It was estimated by Dandekar 
committee on regional imbalances that more than two thousand crores 
would be needed to remove the appalling disparity and the backlog of 
Vidarbha, Marathwada and Konkan, but nothing has been done to remove 
the backlog which created further dissidents in state political affairs. Thus, 
to realize the complex process of the state of Maharashtra as a whole and 
the concept of regional disparity and integrative issues, we have to enter 
into the discussion of the features of the regions. 
 WESTERN MAHARASHTRA: 
It marks congenial relief, deccan plateau, watered by many rivers and has a 
natural topography. 
Economic development and political awareness :- It has witness sizeable 
growth and development in the field of economic, social and political 
sphere, specially Pune known as the “Oxford of the East” has always been 
the bed of education, political movements and the struggle of freedom 
movement as well by Tilak, Savarkar so this places gaining free eminence 
in its own way and the healthy growth of Social, Educational, Institutional 
growing and Proliferating with the coming of universal adult franchise 
(1952) and the development of Panchayat raj system (1962) and the 
Institution Building of local – self has given western Maharashtra 
importance in many fields. 
If we understand the political development along with Economic 
development and agricultural growth process, we have to understand the 
fact that this region is having good communication and conveyance facility, 
which had made this region well connected in transport and communication 
system which is instrumental in bringing about the proper growth of this 
region. 
   
 
 
 
 
Economic Growth: - 
The Swadeshi Movement laid the foundation of development to a very large 
extent. This growth was started by Tilak, the architect of development in 
this region to a very large extent and it was his effort to bring about 
development in all spheres later, we have seen that the growth process of 
financial institution in this region primarily in remote rural areas and the 
knowledge transfer and expertise in related jobs created a strong advantage 
in this region in terms of economic growth. 
Agriculture: It is conclusive for agricultural development and many co-
operative industries based on agricultural food crops started growing 
rapidly. A number of other measures have been taken for the development 
of food crops and horticulture. 2249 hectares of land is under sugar 
cultivation. 60299 hectares of land is under the cultivation of cereals and 
pulses. The other important crops are oil seeds, cotton, spices and tobacco. 
The setting up of the Agriculture University at Rahuri, Agriculture Colleges 
and Research Institutions have contributed to this process. 
Social Composition: Western Maharashtra is a home ground of powerful 
caste Maratha – Kunbi, they are 41% of the total population, It should be 
said here that the non – Mahar scheduled caste are important the 
Brahminical population is restricted to the percentage peri fiery of only 4% 
and mainly spotted in Urban and Semi – Urban areas. 
 KONKAN: 
Consist of five districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. Mumbai as a part of Konkan occupies a dominant position. 
Though the Konkan land is rugged, but to add to the woe of this region, 
heavy rainfall and inferior soil texture among for any development, mainly 
subsistence agriculture prevails. We have already talked about agricultural 
problem of the regions, which result in poor subsistence level of agricultural 
growth. 
Industrialization:  As we can understand the relief is not conducive for any 
industrialization growth activity, except Thane district which has it own 
importance in the field of politics, industrial growth and related 
economically activity has proved to be a dependent body of Mumbai but 
Konkan has a whole has poor mineral resources in the region. But in terms 
of literacy and political involvement and active participation in political 
process. Konkan has its unique stand but the scale of migration of 
population which is happening radically due to the Konkan railway has 
proved to be the Maine reason in the influxes and Exodus of population 
elsewhere. The Trible which account of 36% of the population. Still have 
their occupation restricted and leave in the areas which are remote. But the 
growth of the Buddhist population which is 4% along with the growth of 
Muslim population coupled with the Dalit population, is not significant in 
the entire political structure of the Konkan region. Raigad District forms a 
mid part of Konkan, because of it nearness to Mumbai, It has higher level 
of Industrial development. Konkan, hold its importance is state politics 
 
 
 
 
 
because of its geographical and social factors, which could be further sub-
divided into mid-South and North Konkan consist of Thane District, 
Palghar District and Mumbai, ‘South Konkan consists of Sindhudurg and 
Ratnagiri District. Sindhudurg has been curved out of Ratnagiri and his 
name after Sindhudurg fort, Konkan is poor in economic development and 
hence seen poor infrastructure development too which has left an indelible 
scar in the psychological framework of the populations mind of this region, 
which is politically motivated and manipulated, it is alleged that since the 
body Konkan development corporation is situated in Mumbai. Which has 
made it easy to induce the development of North Mid Konkan but neglect 
the South. The Growth of the industries has suffered serious setback 
because of the improper and in adequate development of infrastructure 
specially roadways, which has become inaccessible during monsoon as 
everything the possible roadways and any mode of transport system is 
paralyzed in this region. The Konkan region has got its foundation of 
development, but tourism has an important service industry could have been 
promoted but the intentions were not clear politically as the region sees no 
possibility of new project development and even the ‘Alphonse Mangoes’, 
and Cashew cultivation has got tremendous potential, lot has to be done, 
less is achieved but the topography cannot be blamed, the intensions rather. 
The new projects related to energy and refinery, too faced 
environmentalists’ structures and as result the process of growth and 
actualization of the project stopped. 
Ratnagiri provided 45% or more immigrant population to Mumbai as next 
to Thane District. Most of the people of the Konkan exist on money 
economy which grows on the money sent by the people working in Mumbai 
for their relatives back home. Although Konkan is almost is backward as 
Marathwada but higher literacy rate and string cultural bond because of its 
nearest to Mumbai shows strong social and cultural ties. 
Konkan has subsistence form agrarian economy were through irrigation 
system is poorly developed and paddy account for highest principal food 
crop in this region, ‘it has been seen that horticulture is poorly developed. 
Though another important fact is continuing land fragmentation which has 
reduced its fertility and farmers have become landless due to abject poverty 
and pressure from Moaney lender which has led to debt-trap for the farmers. 
Social Texture: 38% of the population is that of Maratha Kunbi class and 
OBC’s are the Agri’s and Koli’s, Bhandari’s are dominant in Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg along with Muslim, Dalit and Buddhist which have lent great 
color to the mosaic of Konkan which is exclusive in its own rights. Tribal 
population is prominent in this region. 
MARATHWADA  
It consists of eight District namely Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Bid, Parbhani, 
Nanded and two district of Latur and Jalna created in 1980 and one district 
of Hingoli created in 1989. This region lies in the center or hot land of 
Maharashtra. Though it has its own potential but it lacks it proper sense of 
formidable economic growth but it can be stated the its water resources is 
Page 5


   
 
2 
Politics of Modern 
Maharashtra 
 
2 
SUB REGIONALISM: REGIONAL 
DISPARITIES & DEVELOPMENT 
Unit Structure 
2.0 Introduction 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 INTRODUCTION 
The state of Maharashtra has always been a dominant force in controlling 
the micro factors and issues of different political powers and their core 
problems at sub regional level, but the inherent factor of macro level thought 
process of Maharashtra’s dominant leadership navigated its narrow-wasted 
interest bypassing the actual demands of Vidarbha, Konkan and 
Marathwada region. The dominance of Western Maharashtra’s political 
leadership subverted the sub-regional issues for decades to meet their 
agendas which paid rich political dividends to them but the disparity 
remained exposed and too appalling to mend the fences and gave birth to 
stark sub-regionalism. Here, we should try to focus our attention to the 
agriculture and industrial development not only in the whole of Maharashtra 
but also in the different pockets of sub regions of Vidarbha, Marathwada 
and Konkan, which pawed the way for lop-sided growth and create 
differences and narrow self-interest big enough to create dissatisfaction. 
DEMOGRAPHY OF MAHARASHTRA: 
We know as per the substantive information major political power shift has 
happened in western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s is political power is second 
highest after western Maharashtra. Maharashtra’s share in political power 
is a third highest in terms of category but Mumbai has always been a 
dominant in power sharing and has always shown strong power equation 
and played of pivotal role in state politics. Before we enter into the features 
of the state, the state of Maharashtra has four regions to enumerate – 
 
 
 
 
 
Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, ‘We can 
underline a vital point for all the readers of this chapter that western 
Maharashtra as a whole with each dominance of one party influence has 
created a controlling factor in terms of agricultural and industrial 
development, the land reforms has always been talked about, it brought the 
proper development and strong relationship between the land holders, the 
ryots, a powerful land holding peasant class came up which is strong and 
has grate lobby power. It was said that the political power controlling hands 
at the state and their relationship with the power at the Central Government 
brought about a strong mended for agricultural, education, institutional and 
industrialization development in western Maharashtra. The districts like 
Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik and Satara all started developing fast but 
other regions of Maharashtra show unfortunate no growth process. It is still 
said, the diversion of huge funds to western Maharashtra has created anger 
and animosity among the different regional leaders who resented towards 
this step-motherly treatment and forced them to voice. the issues of separate 
Vidarbha’ Proximity to Mumbai and the great powerful sugar-lobby gave 
western Maharashtra great vantage point. It was estimated by Dandekar 
committee on regional imbalances that more than two thousand crores 
would be needed to remove the appalling disparity and the backlog of 
Vidarbha, Marathwada and Konkan, but nothing has been done to remove 
the backlog which created further dissidents in state political affairs. Thus, 
to realize the complex process of the state of Maharashtra as a whole and 
the concept of regional disparity and integrative issues, we have to enter 
into the discussion of the features of the regions. 
 WESTERN MAHARASHTRA: 
It marks congenial relief, deccan plateau, watered by many rivers and has a 
natural topography. 
Economic development and political awareness :- It has witness sizeable 
growth and development in the field of economic, social and political 
sphere, specially Pune known as the “Oxford of the East” has always been 
the bed of education, political movements and the struggle of freedom 
movement as well by Tilak, Savarkar so this places gaining free eminence 
in its own way and the healthy growth of Social, Educational, Institutional 
growing and Proliferating with the coming of universal adult franchise 
(1952) and the development of Panchayat raj system (1962) and the 
Institution Building of local – self has given western Maharashtra 
importance in many fields. 
If we understand the political development along with Economic 
development and agricultural growth process, we have to understand the 
fact that this region is having good communication and conveyance facility, 
which had made this region well connected in transport and communication 
system which is instrumental in bringing about the proper growth of this 
region. 
   
 
 
 
 
Economic Growth: - 
The Swadeshi Movement laid the foundation of development to a very large 
extent. This growth was started by Tilak, the architect of development in 
this region to a very large extent and it was his effort to bring about 
development in all spheres later, we have seen that the growth process of 
financial institution in this region primarily in remote rural areas and the 
knowledge transfer and expertise in related jobs created a strong advantage 
in this region in terms of economic growth. 
Agriculture: It is conclusive for agricultural development and many co-
operative industries based on agricultural food crops started growing 
rapidly. A number of other measures have been taken for the development 
of food crops and horticulture. 2249 hectares of land is under sugar 
cultivation. 60299 hectares of land is under the cultivation of cereals and 
pulses. The other important crops are oil seeds, cotton, spices and tobacco. 
The setting up of the Agriculture University at Rahuri, Agriculture Colleges 
and Research Institutions have contributed to this process. 
Social Composition: Western Maharashtra is a home ground of powerful 
caste Maratha – Kunbi, they are 41% of the total population, It should be 
said here that the non – Mahar scheduled caste are important the 
Brahminical population is restricted to the percentage peri fiery of only 4% 
and mainly spotted in Urban and Semi – Urban areas. 
 KONKAN: 
Consist of five districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. Mumbai as a part of Konkan occupies a dominant position. 
Though the Konkan land is rugged, but to add to the woe of this region, 
heavy rainfall and inferior soil texture among for any development, mainly 
subsistence agriculture prevails. We have already talked about agricultural 
problem of the regions, which result in poor subsistence level of agricultural 
growth. 
Industrialization:  As we can understand the relief is not conducive for any 
industrialization growth activity, except Thane district which has it own 
importance in the field of politics, industrial growth and related 
economically activity has proved to be a dependent body of Mumbai but 
Konkan has a whole has poor mineral resources in the region. But in terms 
of literacy and political involvement and active participation in political 
process. Konkan has its unique stand but the scale of migration of 
population which is happening radically due to the Konkan railway has 
proved to be the Maine reason in the influxes and Exodus of population 
elsewhere. The Trible which account of 36% of the population. Still have 
their occupation restricted and leave in the areas which are remote. But the 
growth of the Buddhist population which is 4% along with the growth of 
Muslim population coupled with the Dalit population, is not significant in 
the entire political structure of the Konkan region. Raigad District forms a 
mid part of Konkan, because of it nearness to Mumbai, It has higher level 
of Industrial development. Konkan, hold its importance is state politics 
 
 
 
 
 
because of its geographical and social factors, which could be further sub-
divided into mid-South and North Konkan consist of Thane District, 
Palghar District and Mumbai, ‘South Konkan consists of Sindhudurg and 
Ratnagiri District. Sindhudurg has been curved out of Ratnagiri and his 
name after Sindhudurg fort, Konkan is poor in economic development and 
hence seen poor infrastructure development too which has left an indelible 
scar in the psychological framework of the populations mind of this region, 
which is politically motivated and manipulated, it is alleged that since the 
body Konkan development corporation is situated in Mumbai. Which has 
made it easy to induce the development of North Mid Konkan but neglect 
the South. The Growth of the industries has suffered serious setback 
because of the improper and in adequate development of infrastructure 
specially roadways, which has become inaccessible during monsoon as 
everything the possible roadways and any mode of transport system is 
paralyzed in this region. The Konkan region has got its foundation of 
development, but tourism has an important service industry could have been 
promoted but the intentions were not clear politically as the region sees no 
possibility of new project development and even the ‘Alphonse Mangoes’, 
and Cashew cultivation has got tremendous potential, lot has to be done, 
less is achieved but the topography cannot be blamed, the intensions rather. 
The new projects related to energy and refinery, too faced 
environmentalists’ structures and as result the process of growth and 
actualization of the project stopped. 
Ratnagiri provided 45% or more immigrant population to Mumbai as next 
to Thane District. Most of the people of the Konkan exist on money 
economy which grows on the money sent by the people working in Mumbai 
for their relatives back home. Although Konkan is almost is backward as 
Marathwada but higher literacy rate and string cultural bond because of its 
nearest to Mumbai shows strong social and cultural ties. 
Konkan has subsistence form agrarian economy were through irrigation 
system is poorly developed and paddy account for highest principal food 
crop in this region, ‘it has been seen that horticulture is poorly developed. 
Though another important fact is continuing land fragmentation which has 
reduced its fertility and farmers have become landless due to abject poverty 
and pressure from Moaney lender which has led to debt-trap for the farmers. 
Social Texture: 38% of the population is that of Maratha Kunbi class and 
OBC’s are the Agri’s and Koli’s, Bhandari’s are dominant in Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg along with Muslim, Dalit and Buddhist which have lent great 
color to the mosaic of Konkan which is exclusive in its own rights. Tribal 
population is prominent in this region. 
MARATHWADA  
It consists of eight District namely Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Bid, Parbhani, 
Nanded and two district of Latur and Jalna created in 1980 and one district 
of Hingoli created in 1989. This region lies in the center or hot land of 
Maharashtra. Though it has its own potential but it lacks it proper sense of 
formidable economic growth but it can be stated the its water resources is 
   
 
 
 
 
quite adequate. During the rule of Nizam of Hyderabad this area was 
completely neglected as Nizam wanted to make Urdu as a common lingua 
franca and the dominance of Islamic religion and lifestyle under mind the 
prestige of Marathi speaking population. The people of this region after the 
dissolution of Nizam rule and supremacy merged with Maharashtra in 1956 
and was sure get hold of proper growth and development of region. After 
1960 and rolling down to 1985-90 this region of colleges coming up and 
today there is a university with 90 colleges affiliated to it. ‘Marathwada has 
Agriculture University but still educational backwardness can be 
understood as one of the main reasons for the underdevelopment of this 
regions. Many castes system which are dominant here points out of fact that 
people have embraced Buddhism and unstable political conditions stemmed 
from the fact of strange of politically motivated connections and affiliations. 
It should be mention here that Marathwada doesn’t want to break away and 
demand the separate state like Vidarbha, but it wants a strong economic 
development which it is deprived of agriculture, here exists dry climate and 
cultivation is not conducive most of the area is under famine and trooped. 
Jowar, though is a principal crop, sugar cane cultivation is noteworthy, but 
problem of irrigation is perennial issue in this region because of dearth of 
water-supply. 
Relief: It has regur soil and watered by many reivers, Godavari is a principle 
reiver passes through Aurangabad, Jalna, Nanded Nanded District, and its 
subsidiary – Manjra in Bid Osmanabad district, Purna rivers passes through 
Prabhani district the Eldari and Jayakwadi irrigation projects are important. 
Agricultural Growth: The sugar cane cultivation is dominant here with the 
help of jayakwadi irrigation project, but according to the findings of Barve 
reports 1964 only 20% of the region brought under watered area but 
unfortunately water as a resource is not fully utilize which has created angle 
in the minds of the people of these reasons. 
Industrial Structure: Industrial Structure is weak and does not hold any 
significance here in this region., ‘due to poor infrastructural development 
and skeletal growth of roadways and transport the proper economic 
intercourse is impacted upon, which has prompted influx of skilled workers 
from neighboring regions and on skilled workers move to Mumbai City and 
Western Maharashtra for occupation. 
Education: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar has established Milind College in 
Aurangabad and after 1962-65 different Colleges and Universities stared 
increasing the most important want is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University 
at Marathwada. It has to be mentioned here that the Dandekar committee 
report states that the lop sided development in this region is, of the backlog 
which needed prime importance to be focused on structural and 
comprehensive development, for the entire region of Maharashtra for which 
one thousand three crore was estimated, and out of that a small amount of 
that eighty crore was set aside for Marathwada’s economic development 
which was too small and amount and due to the absence of effective 
leadership and factional rivalry and disunity among its frontline leadership 
know cohesive action for development could be taken. But the people of