Why did India opt for planning?
Soon after independence, India faced an important choice to opt either for capitalism or socialism. Finally, India, inspired by the extraordinary success of planning in Soviet Union, opted for socialism. Although, Indian political and economic conditions were not as favourable as it was for Soviet Unions to opt for socialism, yet India adopted socialism but with a difference. India hinged upon the socialist idea with a strong emphasis on the public sector and active participation of the private sector in a democratic framework. The Planning Commission (1950) was established with the motive that the government would undertake comprehensive planning for the nation as a whole, where the public sector would lay down the basic economic framework and would encourage the private sector for their active contribution to economic growth.
Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the planning period?
Match the following:
1. Prime Minister 3. Quota 4. Land Reforms 5. HYV Seeds 6. Subsidy |
A. Seeds that give large proportion of output C. Chairperson of the planning commission D. The money value of all the final goods and services produced within the economy in one year. E. Improvements in the field of agriculture to increase its productivity F. The monetary assistance given by government for production activities. |
What is marketable surplus?
What is the Green Revolution? Why was it implemented and how did Does it benefit the farmers? Explain in brief.
Explain ‘growth with equity’ as a planning objective.
Why was it necessary for a developing country like India to follow self-reliance as a planning objective?
Why and how was the private sector regulated under the IPR 1956?
Define a plan?
Does modernisation as a planning objective create contradiction in the light of employment generation? Explain.
Why should plans have goals?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
The traditional handicrafts industries were ruined under the British rule. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
What factors contribute to human capital formation?
Examine the role of education in the economic development of a nation.
Compared to urban women, more rural women are found working. Why?
Analyse the recent trends in sectoral distribution of workforce in India.
Meena is a housewife. Besides taking care of household chores, she works in the cloth shop which is owned and operated by her husband. Can she be considered as a worker? Why?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Do you think that in the last 50 years, employment generated in the country is commensurate with the growth of GDP in India? How?
What programmes has the government adopted to help the elderly people and poor and destitute women?
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?