Since its formation, the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, has been caught up in the trap of poor fiscal, social, and economic development. This comprehensive volume not only discusses the constraints and challenges faced by Madhya Pradesh, but also provides a vision, or roadmap, for its socio-economic progress. Despite the state s various achievements including promoting key sectors like tourism and industry, favoring decentralization at local levels, and emerging as an educational hub this volume demonstrates how it is still lagging behind in areas such as health, nutrition, and poverty. Arguing that Madhya Pradesh must work at reducing existing inter-regional disparities and at promoting its agriculture, handloom and handicrafts, and natural resources, this book is a valuable source of economic data and development appraisal of one of India s largest states."