question_answer

                                    How was the economic development of India visualized in the early decades after Independence?         

Answer:

(i) In 1956, the Second Five Year Plan was formulated. This focused strongly on the development of heavy industries such as iron and steel and on the building of large dams.

(ii) These sectors would be under the control of the state. This focus on heavy industry, and the effort at state regulation of the economy was to guide economic policies for the next few decades.

(iii) The approach had many strong supporters, but also some vocal critics.

(iv) Some felt that it had put inadequate emphasis on agriculture.

(v) Others argued that this had neglected primary education, still some others believed that it had not taken account of environmental implications of economic policies.