What was Nehru's primary goal in economic policy for India?a)To make I...
Nehru's primary goal in economic policy for India was to achieve self-reliance and self-sufficiency in key sectors. This goal was rooted in Nehru's vision of an independent and prosperous India that could stand on its own feet and reduce its dependence on foreign aid and imports. Nehru believed that economic self-reliance was essential for the country's development and to ensure its sovereignty.
Nehru's economic policies can be broadly categorized into two phases - the first phase (1950-1965) focused on state-led industrialization and the second phase (1965-1980) emphasized on promoting self-sufficiency in agriculture.
First Phase: State-led Industrialization
During the first phase, Nehru implemented a series of policies to promote industrialization and modernization. The key features of this phase included:
1. Public Sector Dominance: Nehru believed that the state should play a leading role in economic development. He established a strong public sector that controlled key industries such as steel, coal, and heavy machinery. The public sector was seen as the driver of economic growth and development.
2. Five-Year Plans: Nehru adopted the Soviet model of economic planning and introduced five-year plans to guide the country's economic development. These plans focused on industrialization, infrastructure development, and increasing agricultural productivity.
3. Import Substitution: Nehru aimed to reduce India's dependence on imports by promoting domestic industries. He imposed high tariffs on imported goods and provided incentives for the development of domestic industries. This strategy was known as import substitution industrialization (ISI).
Second Phase: Self-sufficiency in Agriculture
In the second phase, Nehru recognized the importance of agriculture in India's economy and focused on achieving self-sufficiency in food production. The key features of this phase included:
1. Green Revolution: Nehru supported the Green Revolution, which aimed at increasing agricultural productivity through the adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds, modern farming techniques, and improved irrigation facilities. This led to a significant increase in food production and helped India become self-sufficient in food grains.
2. Land Reforms: Nehru implemented land reforms to address the issue of land inequality and provide opportunities for small farmers. These reforms included the abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, and redistribution of land to landless farmers.
3. Rural Development: Nehru emphasized the development of rural areas by investing in rural infrastructure, providing credit facilities to farmers, and promoting agricultural research and extension services.
Overall, Nehru's economic policies aimed at achieving self-reliance and self-sufficiency in key sectors, particularly in industry and agriculture. These policies laid the foundation for India's economic development and shaped its economic trajectory for the coming decades.
What was Nehru's primary goal in economic policy for India?a)To make I...
The text mentions that Nehru's economic policy aimed to make India self-reliant and self-sustaining, with a focus on key sectors and self-sufficiency.