Mumbai, May 24 (UNI) Only seven out of Maharashtra’s 36 districts are responsible for generating 54 per cent of the state’s gross domestic product (GSDP), which reached Rs 45 lakh crore in 2024, according to a recent government report.
The findings underscore a pronounced regional disparity in economic activity within the state, widely regarded as India’s economic powerhouse.
The key contributors — Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad — host the bulk of Maharashtra’s economic activities.
In stark contrast, the report submitted to the 16th Finance Commission reveals that 18 districts have growth rates less than 0.8 times the state’s GSDP expansion rate, with per capita incomes falling below the state average.
While Maharashtra’s per capita income stands at 148 per cent of the national average, the report highlights that 12 districts still lag behind the national benchmark. To address these imbalances, the state government has rolled out five-year district strategic plans, supported by a World Bank project, aimed at fostering balanced growth by leveraging the unique strengths of each administrative unit.
For the current fiscal year, the annual district plan outlay has been increased by 11 per cent to Rs 20,150 crore. District collectors have been instructed to allocate at least 25 per cent of these funds to projects identified in the District Strategic Plan (DSP).
Additional funding is being directed toward aspirational districts and blocks, with the goal of achieving more equitable development across Maharashtra.
The report also notes targeted efforts to transform the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra into a steel hub, as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
Maharashtra’s districts have been categorized into three segments based on economic growth and gross district domestic product (GDDP) per capita. Over half of the districts fall into the third segment, characterized by low GDDP per capita.
The second segment comprises 11 districts — including Nashik, Kolhapur, Solapur, and Ratnagiri — that collectively contribute 26 per cent to the state’s GSDP. The remaining 18 districts, such as Amravati, Yavatmal, Jalgaon, and Latur, account for the final 20 per cent of the state’s economic output.
The government’s report emphasizes the urgent need for accelerated and targeted investment to bridge regional gaps and promote inclusive economic growth across Maharashtra.
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