Twelfth Five Year Plan 2012-17

Abstract

Rajasthan, in its present form, is a conglomeration of 19 princely States and 3 Chiefships, which varied in size, population, administrative efficiency and the level of socio-economic development. Rajasthan is the largest State of India with 10.41 percent geographical area spread over 3.42 lakh square kms. It is administratively divided into 7 divisions, 33 districts, 244 tehsils and 249 development blocks. 1.2 Rajasthan has a long international border of 1040 kms. with Pakistan. the most conspicuous geographical feature of Rajasthan is the Aravallis hill range running through north-east to south-west across the State. The region to the west and north-west of this range, comprising of 11 districts and about 61.11 percent of the total area of the State is predominantly arid and semi arid, and includes the vast Great Indian Desert-the Thar. the area to the south and south-east of the Aravalli hills is relatively fertile and densely populated. Rajasthan is predominantly an agrarian State, and due to its vast area, and scattered population, the cost of delivery of basic minimum services is very high.