ABSTRACT: This research paper presents a spatial and socio-economic geographical analysis of the interrelationships found between population, labour force, and industrial development in the Tonk district located in the eastern part of Rajasthan. The background of the study is rooted in the fact that population acts not only as a consumer class but also influences industrial localization by supplying labour force and serving as a local consumer market. Despite being situated between developed urban-industrial hubs like Jaipur and Ajmer, Tonk district was included among the 250 most backward districts in the country by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2006, presenting an appropriate geographical laboratory for studying these interrelationships.
The primary objective of the study is to examine the demographic structure of the district, the structural characteristics of the labour force, and the spatial patterns of industrial development, thereby clarifying the nature of their mutual relationship. The study primarily follows a descriptive and analytical methodology based on secondary data, specifically the Census of India 2011, the Brief Industrial Profile of Tonk District (DCMSME), and records from RIICO.
The major finding indicates that despite population growth in the district (approximately 17.33 percent during 2001–2011) and the abundant availability of rural labour, industrial development has remained limited and concentrated along selected urban-transport corridors. The study establishes that due to the lack of an appropriate transition of the agriculture-dominated workforce into non-agricultural and industrial sectors, the available human resource is underutilized, which in turn fuels migration and regional inequality. From a geographical perspective, the study highlights the critical need for a balanced and decentralized industrial development model.
KEYWORDS: Population Geography, Labour Force Structure, Industrial Localization, Tonk District, Economic Geography, Regional Inequality, Work Participation Rate
A STUDY OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS AMONG POPULATION, LABOUR FORCE AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN TONK DISTRICT
DR. VISHNU CHOUDHARY