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The book, which is a collection of field-based research papers presented in a seminar, spells out the socio-economic implications of massive industrial investment that is expected to flow into an iron are ore based economy of a district in Karnataka. The main focus of the papers prepared by economists, sociologists and political scientists is on an assessment of the extent of pressure that is likely to build up on the basic infrastructure, municipal services, land and manpower resources and eco-system, as also the consequences this will have on the social and economic life of the people of the region. The paper included in this volume argue that while the investment activity of such a magnitude will initiate industrial and economic growth, and help develop material and human resources in the region, the pumping in of such huge amounts of money will also cause some major adverse effects on the society, economy and polity unless timely steps are taken to minimise them. As a follow-up, the volume presents a detailed account of what steps should be taken by the state, industrialists, people and their organisations to minimise the negative externalities of the massive investment. The book will be of immense interest to academicians, policy makers and administrators. About the Author Dr. Abdul Aziz is Professor of Economics in the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore and currently directing a project on Decentralised Governance and Planning. Besides guiding doctoral students and directing research projects, he has organised many training programmes, and national and international workshops in the area of Decentralisation, Poverty Alleviation and Regional Development. He has published a number of research papers and books in the above areas of his specialization. Apart from associating himself with the academic bodies of the Universities, Prof. Aziz has served as a member of expert committees of the Government of Karnataka such as the State Finance Commission and the Committee on the fixation of fees in the technical education institutions. He has widely travelled in the East and the West delivering lectures and presenting seminars.