Bridging the Disparity with State Balanced Growth Fund in Tamil Nadu, India

Background/Objectives: India is a fastest growing country in the world with its economic growth projection of 7.7% for the 2017 financial year. While being satisfied and proud of this enormous growth, one must remind themselves as whether this growth is qualitative. This paper aims at understanding the nature of growth of Indian economy and the impact of State Balanced Growth Fund (SBGF) programme of Tamil Nadu. Inorder to study the impact of SBGF, out of 105 SBGF blocks, the Kadamalaikundu – Myladumparai block of Theni district was selected purposively for the study.

Methods/Statistical analysis: This block is backward in three parameters viz, Poverty, Industrially Backward and Health. Out of these three parameters, Poverty and Industrially Backwardness are studied by following proportionate random sampling; whereas Health parameter is studied by analysing the available secondary data.

Results/Findings: As a result of the study, all the three development parameters experienced positive growth due to the development projects implemented for each. The Poverty parameter is analysed by studying the annual income of the respondents, which showed that it was doubled in the past one year. Industrially Backwardness is studied by knowing the increase in employment in the block and the additional employment generated is around 70. The third parameter health also indicated growth after SBGF in sub – parameters like Infant Mortality Rate, Disease Incidence Rate and number of out – patients.

Improvements/Application: Though the projects are localized and flexible, there remain the constraints of hectic procedures and side-lining need-of-the-hour projects. This can be overcome by employing participatory project development and decentralizing the fund under Panchayat level.