Describe and assess the function of India’s economic planning in light of the country’s new economic strategy. [Answer Limit: 250 Words] [UKPSC 2012]
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India’s planning began since independence with Planning Commission and now with NITI Aayog has planned the development planning of the country. The earlier structure of India’s economic planning was the mixed economy, this was because the country developed plans to encourage the growth of public sectors, industrialization, and the attainment of the policy of self-reliance. In the series of several five-year plans, developmental efforts were aimed at removing poverty, generating employment and balancing regional grows. CSP contributed to the actual construction of infrastructure and betterment of states in agriculture, it also provoked the growth of public sector through required services. However, the approach also created bureaucracy, legalisation of productive processes and inhibition of private business.
The liberalization reforms of 1991 introduced the basis of a new thinking about India’s future economic scenario, which would be termed of a paradigm shift. These reforms threw India toward market liberalization, deregulation, globalization, and inviting foreign and private investment. Thus, under this strategy, the character of economic planning change from control to the provision of support. The creation of NITI Aayog in 2015 brought about a structural shift in planning because it thenceforth focuses on cooperative federalism, innovation, and strategic, rather than state, planning.
NITI Aayog functions as a policy planning body presently and works toward preparing and implementing states specific policy and facilitating and supporting goals toward sustainable development while promoting the private sector’s development. This relates economic planning to the contemporary demands of economic growth involving skills, the digital economy, and ecology. Thus, adaptive planning has created economic growth and reduction of poverty and India opened for global economy. However, several issues persist in the way of bringing social closeness; regional disparities; and balancing environmental problems and economic growth. The Indian economy’s planning time and again changes, reflecting these ideas as it introduces flexibility and inclusiveness to achieve stable and sustainable development.
Under the New Economic Policy (NEP) of 1991, economic planning in India underwent significant changes.
*Role of Economic Planning:*
1. Shift from centralized planning to market-oriented approach.
2. Focus on economic liberalization, privatization, and globalization.
3. Emphasis on infrastructure development and human resource development.
4. Encouraging foreign investment and trade.
*Objectives:*
1. Rapid economic growth.
2. Increased efficiency and competitiveness.
3. Improved standard of living.
*Achievements:*
1. Higher GDP growth rate (6-8%).
2. Increased foreign exchange reserves.
3. Improved infrastructure.
4. Enhanced global competitiveness.
*Challenges:*
1. Widening income inequality.
2. Regional disparities.
3. Environmental concerns.
4. Dependence on foreign capital.
*Evaluation:*
The NEP has successfully transformed India into a rapidly growing economy. However, concerns persist regarding income inequality, regional disparities, and environmental sustainability.
*Way forward:*
1. Inclusive growth strategies.
2. Enhanced social welfare programs.
3. Sustainable development practices.
4. Strengthening institutional frameworks.
The concept of Economic planning was first introduced by P. V. Narasimha Rao who was a great politician and also considered as the father of the concept of Economic planning. The prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru introduced a five-year plan to the Indian parliament to make the Indian economy stronger and better. In the year 1951, the parliament focused on the development of the primary sector. P. V. Narasimha also stated that the Indian economy is largely based on the Agricultural sector and 17 percent of GDP is based on it. Other important factors are airways, railways, and manufacturing handicrafts which can also play an important role in the Indian economy. the concept of Economic development is derived from Russia. Though the concept of the economic condition is based on the major financial choices of a country which could be different from each other. However, understanding the strongest sector of a country to increase the GDP percentage of a country is the main aim to achieve by implementing this planning.The main objective of introducing and implementing this idea is to increase the standard of living. In India, a large population is living their lives below the poverty level. If the per capita income can be increased by adopting this strategy, it can be beneficial for the country. It can also increase the employment section and increase the rate of social service. Equal distribution of income can be beneficial for decreasing the population who belong below the poverty level. It can also provide a stable economic condition to the country, increase the self-sufficiency level, increase the rate of regional development, reduce economic inequality and increase social justice.The importance of economic planning can be derived from the objectives of the agenda. As stated before, it is important to find the strongest sector of India to increase the per capita income. It can be beneficial for the overall growth of the country. It can increase the employment rate and can decrease the poverty level. If the rate of employment is increased, it positively affects the sector of economic stability of the country. It can also help to make the people of India more self-sufficient and decrease economic inequality. It also helps in social welfare and regional development. It can be beneficial for the sustainable development of India as well. Overall, proper economic planning and implementation can increase the standard of living of the countrymen.Economic planning consists of making different types of planning which can be beneficial for the growth of the country’s economy. Economic planning of India is undertaken by the planning commission however, the current planning was taken by NITI Aayog on January 1st, 2015. Different types of economic planning are “planning by direction and inducement”, “physical and financial planning”, “indicative and imperative planning”, “centralized and decentralized planning”, “fixed and rolling plans’. Economic planning has been adopted by different countries of the world for different reasons. However, the strongest factors of different countries differ from each other, and making the plan accordingly is very important for the economic growth of that country. The most important features of economic planning are focusing and making the objectives that the country wants to achieve, focusing on the central planning authority, democratic nature, comprehensiveness, having only an advisory role of the planning commission, rational allocation of resources, consumption planning, feasible targets, and policies.