Dimensions of socio-economic development in Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract

The level ofdevelopmentofdifferent districts of Jammu & Kashmir was obtained with the help of composite index based on optimum combination of twenty nine developmental indicators. The district-wise data on these indicators for the year 2001-02 were used for obtaining the level of development ofall the fourteen districts ofthe State. The level ofdevelopment was estimated separately for agricultural sector, infrastructural facilities and overall socio-economic sector. The district of Kathua was ranked first and the district ofKargil was ranked last in the socio-economic development. Wide disparities were observed in the level of development between different districts of the State. Infrastructural facilities and literacy status ofthe people were found to be positively associated with the socio-economic development. For bringing out uniform regional development, potential targets of various developmental indicators have been estimated in respect of low developed districts. These districts require improvement of various dimensions in some of the indicators for enhancing the level of development.