Regional dimensions of socio-economic development in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The socio-economic status of various districts of Andhra Pradesh was evaluated with the help of a composite index of development based on 30 socio-economic variables combined in an optimum manner. Twenty two districts of the State covering more than 99 per cent of the area and about 95 per cent population were included in the analysis. The study utilised data for the year 1991-92 on the thirty indicatiors out of which eleven indicators are directly concerned with the agricultural development and the rest nineteen indicators depict the progress of social and human resource development. The district of East Godavari was found to rank first and that of Ranga Reddy was the last in the over all socio-economic development. The level of development was examined separately for agricultural sector. It is found that the variability in agricultural development is of higher order as compared to variability in over all socio-economic development. Better developed districts cover about 35 per cent area and 43 per cent population of the State whereas poorly developed districts cover about 48 per cent area and 37 per cent population. Thc study revealed that regional disparities with regard to over all socio- economic development is observed to be greatly influenced by agricultural development in most of the districts of the State. The development of education from primary level onwards is found to be an urgent social need in the State as the literacy level is only 45 per cent as compared to 52 percent at All India Level. Similarly the State requires a unified and balanced integration of curative, preventive and promotional health services.