What was a key focus of the First Five Year Plan (1951-1956)?
AAgricultural development
BPrivatisation of industries
CRapid industrialisation
DDevelopment of heavy industries
Answer:
A. Agricultural development
Read Explanation:
The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956)
- Primary Focus: The central theme of the First Five Year Plan was agricultural development and allied sectors.
- Context: Launched on April 1, 1951, this plan aimed to address the severe food shortages and the overall economic backwardness inherited from the partition and colonial rule.
- Key Objectives:
- Achieving self-sufficiency in food grains.
- Improving agricultural productivity through increased irrigation, land reforms, and better farming techniques.
- Addressing the rehabilitation of refugees.
- Resource Allocation: A significant portion of the total outlay was directed towards agriculture and community development projects.
- Notable Initiatives:
- Initiation of major irrigation projects like the Bhakra Nangal Project.
- Emphasis on Community Development Programmes (CDP) to involve local participation.
- Economic Model: It largely followed the Harrod-Domar model and was considered a "lay planning" phase, focusing on consolidating the economy rather than rapid industrialization.
- Outcome: The plan was relatively successful, achieving a national income growth of about 17%, exceeding its target of 12%. Agricultural output saw a notable increase.