Dynamics of inter-district developmental disparities in Haryana

The present study deals with the development disparities in districts of Haryana according to their level of development. The study utilized data over three points of time, viz. 1991-92, 2001-02, and 2011-12. Assessment of development in agricultural, industrial, infrastructural and socio-economic sectors has been studied using composite indices based on forty indicators. Out of the forty indicators, 19 were directly concerned with agricultural development, 4, 8 and 9 respectively reflected the progress of development in industrial, infrastructural, and socio-economic sectors. Sector-wise indices were combined to obtain weighted index for the overall development. The study indicated wide disparities in level of development among districts of Haryana in all the periods of study.The district of Mahendragarh lagged behind in almost all the sectors considered for this study. The districts of Faridabad and Gurgaon lagged behind in agriculture while the district of Karnal excelled in agriculture in all the three periods. The districts of Ambala, Faridabad and Gurgaon ranked first in overall development in 1991-92, 2001-02 and 2011-12, respectively, whereas Mahendragarh ranked last in 1991-92 and 2001-02 and the newly formed district Mewat in 2011-12. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to study relationships among sectoral developments. Kruskal Wallis test indicated significant changes in development level of industry and infrastructure sectors over the periods 1991-92, 2001-02 and 2011-12