The Hindu Business Line : `Regional disparity dangerous for national unity'

THE Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr K.C. Pant, has said that economic and social development has not been uniform in various parts of the country and, as a result, the regional imbalances have been growing practically in all indicators.

Speaking at the golden jubilee function of the Finance Commission here, Mr Pant said these disturbing trends indicated growing polarisation, which might have an extremely damaging effect on national unity and harmony.

Fiscal federalism, he pointed out, must address the problem of regional disparity and macro-economic stability with high quality growth. It should inculcate some equalisation mechanism so that the less privileged States were able to provide reasonable public services to their people.

Dwelling on the Planning Commission's priorities during the Tenth Plan period, he said a reduction in regional disparities was a major focus area for sustainable and equitable growth. For this, emphasis would be on equalisation of resources for undertaking development activities and bring about marked improvements in the levels of governance.

In particular, during the five-year period, the commission would be targeting the less developed States and areas with funds for capital investment and innovative delivery mechanisms linked to institutional reforms, he said.

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