xvi + 378 pp
The economic development of Bihar and Jharkhand concerns al as one tenth of India’s population resides here. Any progression or regression in this part of the country has a direct bearing on the well being of the country. There is over dependence on agriculture in the plains of Bihar and the average size of land holdings is very small. Forests in the plateau region of Jharkhand, on the other hand, have been an important source of livlihood for the tribal population and their fast depletion is a matter of concern. The volume take stock of the state of the economy of the region (states with one tenth of India’s population) as it puts together contributions from well-known observers of Bihar Economy. The book provides a rich blend of facts and analysis and is imbued with a sense of history and political economy. The contents are divided into Development Perspectives; Agriculture and Forestry; Industry and Mines; Irrigation, Power and Credit; and Fiscal Reforms.
Dr. Sharat Kumar, an M.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, is currently Director in the Planning Commission. After teaching in Patna University and Ranchi University he joined the Indian Economic Service and has served Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission (Government of India). He was also with the faculty of Economics at the LBSNAA, Mussoorie as a reader in Economics. He went to the Netheriands on a United Nations fellowship in 1994. He has written numerous articles in different economic journals and has published a book on ‘Mixed Economy and Liberalization’ (1992). Dr. Praveen Jha, an M.A. and Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru University is currently Asstt. Professor at the Centre of Economic Studies and Planning of the University (JNU). He was earlier with the faculty of Economics, St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. He has also served the LBSNAA, Mussoorie as a visiting fellow. During the academic year 1999-2000, he was invited to teach at the University of Bremen, Germany. He has written numerous articles in different journals and has published a book on ‘Agriculture Labour in India’ (1997).
Acknowledgements, Preface, Tables and annexures, Introduction, Development perspective, Agriculture and foresty, Industry and mines, Irrigation power and credit, Fiscal reform