ABSTRACT
There have been a number of attempts in India to develop metrics for the measurement of relative backwardness. The main purposes behind such attempts have been to help the government to better allocate funds in order to reduce the disparities in the levels of development and living standards across the country. The conceptualization of development was based on the view that during the process of development the share of agriculture decreased and that of manufactures increased, the story of structural transformation. The National Committee on the Development of Backward Areas viewed backwardness basically in terms of inter-state disparities, though it is acknowledged that there are disparities within the states as well. Backward districts were those located outside a radius of 50 miles from large cities or large industrial projects. More central assistance could be provided to better developed states who have both the resources and capability to plan projects or to poorer states to raise their level of development.
