Emerging Patterns of Disparities in Industrialization in the state of West Bengal; A Macro-Economic Analysis with Case Study Research of Jessop India Limited

Economic imbalances and social disparities are a common feature of development economies, particularly those which have historical antecedents of colonial rule. The study of regional imbalances is given focus especially to Southeast Asian countries owing to its renewed importance in the global order. Post independent India had to tackle with several problems at the outset, regional imbalance and economic disparities being a major area. West Bengal, heralded as the second best industrial area has faced steep decline in the last decade, owing to the three fold reasons of unplanned government measures, policies lacking vision, along with lack of an ideal industry friendly environment. The worst hit is the North 24 parganas Howrah belt, popularly known as the industrial hub supplying heavy metals. There have been steep backwash effects after two decades of spread effects in this region, which once saw many big scale industries, ancillaries, townships and infrastructure built around them. A case study of Jessop and Company Limited has been done to exemplify the point analyzing the reasons for decline of Industries in WB, the regional disparities of the area vis-à-vis other regions, migration and the socio economic conditions of the Jessop workers at present.