Spatial Analysis of Micro Regional Disparities in Level of Development: A Case Study of Saharsa District, Bihar

Abstract

The process of development is initiated with a change in the economic activities or
structure of economy. The socio-economic change does not occur uniformly in different
areas. This leads to regional disparities that are caused by a number of factors such as
resources, infrastructures, services, skills, capital, government policies etc. On account of
regional disparities several economic, social and structural problems take place in concerned
area which needs launching of corrective policy measures. The present paper aims to analyse
the imbalances in the level of development with spatial emphasis on the regional dimension.
In order to analyze the regional disparities of ten blocks of the Saharsa district, twenty four
variables have been selected and by using the Development Index (Z-Score Method) regional
disparities have been assessed. In the analysis it has been found that Patarghat block attained
the top position in overall development while the blocks namely Mahishi and Salkhua gained
low level of development.