Essays

In a developing country like India proper planning for the country's overall progress and prosperity, assumes a great importance. Planning in India derives its objectives and social promises. A Resolution of Govt. of the India set up the Planning commission in 1950. It has its credit for seventh five-year plan (1985-1990) under implementation. The seventh plan has contributed significantly to the progress of the country.

The objective of seventh five year plan evolved from the common minimum programme of Govt. and the Chief Minister's conference on basic minimum services, an aggregate outlay of Rs 348,148 crore with a public sector outlay of Rs 180,000 crore ended with an average rate of growth of the gross domestic Product (GDP) at 5.3 percent per annum. Which was well above the targeted rate of 5 percent. The final year of seventh five year plan (1989-90) saw the growth of national income largely contributed by secondary (manufacturing) services sector. The annual average growth of the seventh plan has been put at 5.3% almost equalling the growth rate of the sixth plan. However the objective of seventh five-year plan was strengthening a strong emphasis on creation of product employment on farm as well as in rural subsidiary occupation.

Stress on increasing the production of food grain, textile and domestic fuel. The plan also had 15 years perspective (1985-2000) for removal of poverty providing basic needs,  achieving education target and total success to health

facilities.

• There was a sever short fall in the mining sector (5.6% against a target of 13%)

• Social sector performance fell for short of targets - especially in housing for the landless, elementary

education and general poverty alleviation.

The basic central objective of seventh five year planning was to abolish poverty and to achieve highest possible standard of living masses. Which also accelerated the outward looking strategy with export. The temple of domestic and external liberalization hastened. However the success of the plan rest on determination and oneness of purpose on the part of bureaucracy and govt. Independent India opted for economic planning as a vehicle to launch the war on poverty, unemployment and inequalities that it had inherited from the colonial masters.