Gujarat: Planned development | Gujarat State PSC (GPSC) Preparation: All subjects - GPSC (Gujarat) PDF Download

Necessity and Meaning of Planned Development

• When India gained independence, the country had a minimal industrial base, and a vast majority of the rural population was burdened by an outdated agrarian system. The economy had suffered long periods of stagnation, exacerbated by the pressures of a growing population and the aftereffects of World War II. 
• This resulted in widespread poverty and a weakened economy. The partition of India further disrupted economic life, uprooting millions of people. Both agricultural and industrial productivity were at low levels, and domestic savings were insufficient to meet the nation's needs. The promise of freedom could only be fulfilled by significantly strengthening the economic foundations of the country. The Constitution granted equal rights to all citizens, but these needed to be reflected in higher living standards and increased opportunities for the majority of the population. 
• To achieve this, it was essential to rebuild the rural economy, lay the foundations for industrial and scientific progress, and expand education and social services. This required comprehensive national planning that encompassed all aspects of economic and social life. Such planning aimed to mobilize resources, set priorities and goals, and foster a widespread commitment to change and technological progress. Planned development thus became the means to rapidly achieve high economic growth, restructure the institutions of economic and social life, and harness the energy of the people for national development.

Vision and Challenges of Planned Development

• Providing a better life for India's 400 million people was an immense task, and achieving this goal was far off. However, no lesser goal could be pursued, as every present step needed to align with the ultimate objective. The plans that were drawn up were driven by a vision of the future, much like the Indian people's vision of freedom and independence during their struggle for liberation. 
• Despite the challenges, there was a strong belief in overcoming them. The experience of the past ten years of planning, coupled with significant social and economic changes, instilled confidence that India could look forward to sustained economic progress. Even in this ancient land, governed by tradition for so long, the winds of change were affecting everyone, from city dwellers to peasants. 
• New conflicts and challenges emerged at each stage, but they had to be met with courage and confidence. There was a sense of excitement in witnessing India's transformation through its development plans.

Combating Poverty and Building a Modern Society

• The immediate challenge was to combat poverty and its associated ills, recognizing that this could only be achieved through social and economic advancement. The goal was to build a technologically advanced society and a social order that offered equal opportunities to all citizens. 
• This required fundamental social and economic changes, replacing the old traditional order with a dynamic society. It involved not only adopting science and modern technology but also making significant changes in social customs and institutions. The recognition of this dual aspect of change had been present in Indian thought for generations and gradually became the basis for planning.

Directive Principles of State Policy

The Constitution outlined the basic objectives in the Directive Principles of State Policy. These principles emphasized that the state should strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order in which justice—social, economic, and political—would guide all national institutions.
The state was also tasked with ensuring that:

• Citizens, both men and women, had the right to an adequate means of livelihood.
• The ownership and control of community resources were distributed to best serve the common good.
• The economic system did not lead to the concentration of wealth and means of production to the detriment of the common people.

Socialist Pattern of Society and Five-Year Plans

• In December 1954, Parliament adopted the "socialist pattern of society" as the objective of social and economic policy. This concept, rooted in India's struggle for freedom, embodied the values of socialism and democracy, and the approach of planned development. 
• The Five-Year Plans aimed to lay sound foundations for sustained economic growth, increase opportunities for gainful employment, and improve living standards and working conditions for the masses. The first priority was agriculture, with a focus on increasing agricultural production to the highest feasible levels. 
• The Five-Year Plans included comprehensive efforts to transform the outlook and environment of the peasantry. The growth of agriculture and the development of human resources were closely linked to industrial progress. Industry not only provided new tools but also began to change the mindset of the peasantry. The interdependence of agriculture and industry was integral to the development process. 
• Through planned development, the growth of industry needed to be accelerated, with particular emphasis on developing heavy and machine-making industries, expanding the public sector, and building a large and growing cooperative sector. The public sector was expected to lead the development of industries of basic and strategic importance or public utilities, with other industries also being taken up by the government as necessary. State trading was also to be increased according to the needs of the economy. Overall, the public sector was expected to grow both in absolute terms and at a faster rate than the private sector.

Gujarat's Development Journey

• Gujarat's development journey has been widely praised both within India and internationally. Under Narendra Modi's leadership, Gujarat became known for its development-oriented governance, where the people were active participants and stakeholders in the state's progress. 
• When Modi became Chief Minister, Gujarat was recovering from a devastating earthquake, compounded by drought, cyclone, and floods in preceding years. Many believed it would take years to undo the damage, but Modi and his team proved them wrong by putting Gujarat on the path to recovery and development in less than three years.

Inclusive and Participative Development in Gujarat

• Gujarat's development journey was characterized by being development-oriented, inclusive, and participative. Decisions were not made behind closed doors by a select few but were taken after consulting all stakeholders. 
• The use of technology was maximized to minimize corruption and accelerate development. Another unique aspect of Gujarat's development was that it was not centered around any one sector. Agriculture, industries, and services all contributed equally and actively to Gujarat's growth.

Agriculture and Industrial Development

• The annual Krishi Mahotsavs brought various services and opportunities directly to farmers. Farmers received Soil Health Cards, which provided guidance on improving productivity, and special attention was given to animal husbandry. Industrial development in Gujarat reached new heights since 2001. 
• The biennial Vibrant Gujarat Summits, started in 2003, attracted record investments to the state. At the same time, the land acquisition policy ensured that no injustice was done to people where industries were being established.

Focus on Healthcare, Education, and Tribal Development

• Modi devoted special attention to healthcare and education. Since 2004, the Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Drive have been conducted, with every government official, including the Chief Minister, visiting villages to encourage parents to send their children to school. 
• This effort led to a significant reduction in school dropout rates. Governance in Gujarat reached even the most marginalized communities. Through the Garib Kalyan Melas, the benefits of development were delivered directly to the intended beneficiaries without any intermediaries. 
• In 2008, the Gujarat government launched the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, a special package focused on the development of tribal communities. Today, the package is worth Rs. 40,000 crore and has positively impacted many lives across Gujarat.

Youth-Led Development and Skill Enhancement

• Believing firmly in youth-led development, the government took numerous steps to enhance skill development among the youth. This included building more ITIs, upgrading syllabi and infrastructure in ITIs, and integrating skill development programs with technology. 
• Gujarat's Kaushalya Vardhan Kendras were awarded the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2013.

Recognition and Awards

• Over the years, Gujarat has won several awards from the central government, international bodies, reputed think tanks, and the United Nations, recognizing its achievements in governance and development.