The East West Divide in India: A Growing Concern

Context

India is grappling with a widening economic and social divide between its eastern and western regions. 

• This growing divide threatens the country’s unity and progress, demanding urgent attention from policymakers.

The Sharp East West Divide in India

• Western India’s Dominance: Western India, encompassing states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, has consistently outpaced the East in terms of economic growth and social indicators. 
  • This regional disparity is a cause for concern, as it could lead to discontent and widen the divide.
• Eastern India’s Challenges: The eastern states of India, such as Bihar, Jharkhand. and Uttar Pradesh, face significant hurdles in development, including high poverty levels, poor infrastructure, and governance deficits. 
  • This has stunted their ability to catch up with their Western counterparts.

Economic Contribution and Social Indicators

• Unequal GDP Contribution: Western India’s economic output accounts for $817 billion, while Eastern India’s contribution stands at only $465 billion, highlighting the stark divide.
• Lagging Social Indicators:  The NITI Aayog‘s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) reveals that the eastern states, such as Bihar and Jharkhand, have the highest poverty levels, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.

Factors Fueling the East West Divide in India

• Historical Legacy: 

  • The British colonisers’ preference for Western India, due to its proximity to the UK, resulted in early development and investment in cities like Mumbai.
    • Mumbai reaped greater benefits from the LPG reforms as the investors prioritized developed cities such as Mumbai, which was already a financial hub.

• Geographical Advantages: 

  • Western ports are more developed and handle larger cargo volumes due to their deeper waters and proximity to major trade routes and partners.

• Failed Green Revolution: 

• • The benefits of the Green Revolution in the 1960s were primarily reaped by Western India, while the East lagged behind in agricultural modernization.

• Resource Exploitation:  

  • The mineral-rich regions in the East suffer from governance deficits and environmental degradation due to excessive mining and exploitation.
    • Freight equalisation policy was adopted by the Government under which a factory could be set up anywhere in India and the transportation of minerals would be subsidised by the Union Government.

Tribal Alienation and Demographic Challenges

• Tribal Factors: The high tribal population in the East has led to increased alienation, naxalism, and separatist movements, diverting state resources and hampering development.
• Demographic Disparities: The East’s poor social indicators, particularly low literacy rates, have hindered skill generation and fueled migration to the prosperous West, further exacerbating the divide.

Conclusion

Addressing the sharp East-West Divide requires targeted interventions to uplift the eastern states, enhance infrastructure, and promote sustainable development. 

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