Pattern of Urbanisation in Madhya Pradesh

AMITABH KUNDU in his 'Urbanisation and Alternate Policy Perspectives '(EPW, June 26) has rightly questioned the validity of the proposition which is being assiduously presented by international aid agencies and the government of India that the urban structure in India is balanced and stable over time, reflecting the process of healthy economic development and, therefore, the urban economy needs to be decontrolled and participation of private sector in urban development projects encouraged. The present note lends support to the contention of Kundu, by presenting the pattern of urbanisation in Madhya Pradesh (M P), one of the less developed and less urbanised states of India but with tremendous potential for development because of its vast and varied natural resources.