WHERE ODISHA STANDS IN INDIA: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMPARISON.

Socio-economic indicators are used by policy makers and planners in identifying and prioritising development issues that need special attention for planning and follow-up intervention. This paper briefly compares the socio-economic performance of Odisha, an eastern Indian state, vis-?-vis that of India, a South Asian country, in order to know where Odisha lags and where it leads its country on various factors of growth and development. Among the socio-economic indicators discussed in this paper include the economy, demography, health, education, agriculture, and mineral resources. It was found that Odisha is far behind its country across many development aspects. The positive side, though, is that in recent years the situation in Odisha has been improving at a good pace. Results of this paper are helpful to the State of Odisha in giving special focus and intervention on identified priority issues. It could be high time for Odisha to adopt strategic planning and strong monitoring-based implementation of programs for the optimal utilisation of its vast natural and human resources.