Deceleration in Chandrapur District Economy
District Socio-Economic Review Report 20-21 Statistics show Adverse Impact of Covid-19
The review report published by Chandrapur District Statistical Office, Directorate of Economics and Statistics titled ‘Jilha Samajik va Arthik Samalochan – 2022’ (District Social and Economic Review Report – 2022) shows a deceleration in the district’s economy. There is a downturn reported in the gross district product and net district product by current and fixed prices.
The report shows that the Gross District Product by Current Price for the year 2020-21 is Rs. 41,687 crores. And the Net District Product by Current Prices is Rs. 37,076 crores. Similarly the Gross District Product by Fixed Prices with Base year as 2011-2012 is Rs. 28,778 crores. And the Net District Product by Fixed Prices is Rs. 25,367 crores.
However, there is an overall decrease in the District Product over the last year. Gross District Product by Current Prices for the year 2019-2020 was Rs.42094 crores. This is 1.8 % higher than this year’s figures. Similarly, the Net District Product by Current Prices for the year 2019-20 was Rs. 37346 crores which means that there is a downturn of 1.5%.
The Gross District Product by Fixed Prices in 2019-2020 was Rs. 31459 crores which means that this year there is a decrease of 9.3%.Similarly, in the previous year the Net Domestic Product by Fixed Prices was Rs. 27668 crores which means that this year’s figures show a decrease of 9.1%.
It is important to note that this is the first time since 2011-12 i.e. in the last ten years that Chandrapur district has shown negative growth. There is clearly a great slowdown in the district’s economy.
The Review Report provides us some insights about the exact sectors which are suffering the pullback. The primary sector which comprises of agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and fisheries has remained more or less steady. Rather it is the secondary sector which seems to be suffering greatly. Industries such as manufacturing and construction are feeling the pinch. In the tertiary sector also sectors like hotels and restaurants, trading, housing and professional services are adversely impacted. While the mining sector has performed better in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20, there is a steady decline in mining since 2014-2015.
The Review Report does not provide the exact reasons for the slowdown, but one can presume that this is the adverse impact of covid-19 on the economy of the district. Policy makers should take the figures very seriously and make plans to address the problems in every sector because behind the statistical numbers there are actual people and families who are suffering because of the deceleration in economic growth of the district.
- Paromita Goswami
