Test: Politics Of Planned Development - UPSC MCQ

- The Assertion is true as the mixed economy model in India is designed to leverage both public and private sectors for economic growth.

- The Reason is false because the public sector is not primarily driven by profit motives; it is focused on social welfare and public service.

- Since the Reason does not correctly explain the Assertion, the correct answer is Option B.

• Assertion Evaluation: The assertion is correct; the Second Five Year Plan indeed focused on promoting heavy industries and indigenous production as key strategies for enhancing national income.
• Reason Evaluation: The reason is also correct; the plan aimed to reduce imports and boost exports, which would ideally lead to increased savings and investment in the economy.
• Explanation Relationship: The reason provided directly supports the assertion, as reducing imports and increasing exports are fundamental aspects of enhancing national income, thereby justifying the strategies outlined in the Second Five Year Plan.

Solution:
The Bombay Plan (A) refers to the 1944 joint proposal by industrialists for a planned economy in India (2). The Green Revolution (B) was an initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity using high-yield seeds (3). The Second Five Year Plan (C) focused on heavy industries, reducing imports, and promoting exports (1). The Planning Commission (D) was established in 1950 to prepare development plans for the country (4).

• The Assertion is true because political contestation allows various political actors to express different views, which is fundamental in a democracy.
• The Reason is false as democratic systems do not eliminate disagreement; rather, they embrace it as part of the political process.

The Planning Commission in India was set up in 1950. Its chairman is the Prime Minister of the country. The Planning Commission was renamed as NITI (National Institute for Transforming India) Aayog on 1 January 2015.

K.N. Raj was the chief planner responsible for formulating the First Five Year Plan, which focused on agricultural development.

• Statement i is correct as the first two five-year plans focused on establishing major infrastructure projects like dams and industries, which were crucial for economic growth.
• Statement ii is incorrect; while the Green Revolution did increase agricultural productivity, it primarily benefited wealthier farmers and large landholders, not small-scale farmers.
• Statement iii is correct; the abolition of the Zamindari system was a key reform aimed at redistributing land and consolidating holdings.
• Statement iv is correct; Operation Flood successfully organized milk producers into cooperatives, significantly increasing milk production across India.

Thus, the correct statements are i, iii, and iv, making Option C the correct choice.

- Statement i is correct because the Bombay Plan was indeed drafted by industrialists in 1944 to propose a planned economy for India.

- Statement ii is correct as the Planning Commission was established in 1950, shortly after India gained independence in 1947.

- Statement iii is incorrect; the consensus was that development could not be left to private sectors, which contradicts this statement.

- Statement iv is correct because the Prime Minister has historically served as the chairperson of the Planning Commission.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D: i, ii, and iv.

- Statement i is correct because agriculture is essential for food security and raw materials.

- Statement ii is incorrect; agriculture was in a worse condition than industry post-independence.

- Statement iii is correct as planners indeed struggled with the balance between the two sectors.

- Statement iv is correct; focusing more on industrialization could neglect agricultural development, exacerbating its issues.

Thus, the correct options are i, iii, and iv, making Option B the correct choice.

Statement I is true because Operation Flood was indeed associated with the White Revolution, which aimed at increasing milk production in India. Statement II is false because the Bombay Plan was not a governmental initiative but a joint proposal by private industrialists to promote a planned economy.