Socio-economic conditions, inequality and deprivation in North East India

In spite of ample natural and human resources, the north east region of India that consists of eight states is still lagging behind as compared to many states of India. People of these states are deprived in different socio-economic indicators. The aim of the paper is to examine the inequalities in socio-economic parameters of development, analyse inequality in the access to basic amenities, and quantify the level of facility and socio-economic deprivations. It was found that Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) value is highest in Assam but, inequality among the MPI poor is high in Meghalaya. In 2011-12, BPL population was highest in Manipur (46.7 %) followed by Assam (40.9 %) and Arunachal Pradesh (37.4 %) exceeding the all India level (29.5). It was observed that inequality is high in growth rate of population (%) (among demographic indicators), sanitation facilities (among the indicators of economic conditions), rail density (among indicators of infrastructure), average years of education, per capita monthly expenditure (Rs) and population Below Poverty Line. Analysis of access to basic amenities, namely, drinking water, toilet facility and electricity reveals the existence of wide state-level variations. Inequality in access to electricity is highest in urban sector as compared to the rural sector among the three basic services. Among the states of NER, the maximum average deprivation in the basic facilities is located in Meghalaya and the most Socio-economic deprived state is Nagaland. Thus, it is recommended for consistent and balanced development approach, expansion of capability, improvement in infrastructure and diversification of agriculture across the eight states of North East India