The GD topic below is given to exercise your gray cells. Think over the topic and make a note of all the points that you will discuss if this topic was given to you. Think of as many examples and facts and figures that will help support the points you have noted down. We will provide you the guidelines on this GD topic next week.
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GD Topic:
Is the Economic Progress in India ‘Real Progress’
Bottom of Form
GD Topic:
Is the Economic Progress in India ‘Real Progress’.
1. 60 years of independence and after 11 Five year Plans, we as Indians, have still to address this question – Are we making real Progress? In 50 years of Independence, India has sent satellites in space, constructed nuclear power plants and boasts of having one of the largest pools of technical manpower in the developing world.
Over the six decades after Independence, India followed a planned development strategy and adopted an import substitution model – an outcome of Socialism. While the development strategy it adopted helped the country escape from the massive illiteracy, recurrent famines, fertility rates of about seven children per woman, and secular stagnation prevailing before Independence, it also isolated India from the rest of the world, resulting in just 2 percent growth in the initial few decades after independence.
2. But everything has not gone wrong. India has made substantial achievements in terms of diversification of economic structure. Substantial progress has been made in increasing food production, progress has been made in the diversification of India’s industrial structure, and also, India has taken giant strides in science and technology. These are all very positive developments. In terms of overall growth rate also, India’s growth rate after Independence, in the 60-year period would be above 3.5 to 5 per cent which is good enough when compared with the growth rate of less than 1 per cent which prevailed in the preceding 50 years.
3. At the same time what has to be recognised is that the progress made has fallen far short of the aspirations of people, the objective potential of the economy and plan targets. The basic problems have arisen because of inefficient use of resources. Partly it is the result of over- regulation of the economy, over-bureaucratisation, and excessive importance given to public sector without ensuring that the public sector undertakings have the necessary autonomy to function as profit making centres. Adequate attention has also not been paid to the task of increasing exports. The BIGGEST failure probably has been inadequate emphasis on social sector development. Education, health care etc are the sectors which have not received the attention they ought to have deserved.
4. The way we are moving today, we could have two Indias - A reasonably successful urban India, bustling with economic activity, which has 30 per cent of India’s population, and a poor India with 70 per cent population. For real growth to happen – not just economic but social growth and development – there needs to complete change of emphasis, with more focus on the agriculture and rural growth.
5. There are a few steps that we need to take to ensure REAL growth for India
• We need to bring in technology and private enterprise to the agriculture sector. The middle man makes a huge fortune in agriculture sector. If the infrastructure is built up we could improve the quality of intermediation. This would improve the terms of trade for the farmer.
• To improve the lot of poor, employment opputunities need to be improved. Employment opportunities cannot increase unless our economy agriculture, industry and services grow.
• Maximum possible decentralisation should be the key word of India’s development administration. However, decentralisation should be coordinated decentralisation mindful of India’s interest as a common national market, mindful of the fact that as a country India has wide regional disparities. If the federation is to be kept going, the poorer people and the poorer states should have the assurance that their needs will be properly attended.
Top of Form
GD Topic:
Is the Economic Progress in India ‘Real Progress’
Bottom of Form
GD Topic:
Is the Economic Progress in India ‘Real Progress’.
1. 60 years of independence and after 11 Five year Plans, we as Indians, have still to address this question – Are we making real Progress? In 50 years of Independence, India has sent satellites in space, constructed nuclear power plants and boasts of having one of the largest pools of technical manpower in the developing world.
Over the six decades after Independence, India followed a planned development strategy and adopted an import substitution model – an outcome of Socialism. While the development strategy it adopted helped the country escape from the massive illiteracy, recurrent famines, fertility rates of about seven children per woman, and secular stagnation prevailing before Independence, it also isolated India from the rest of the world, resulting in just 2 percent growth in the initial few decades after independence.
2. But everything has not gone wrong. India has made substantial achievements in terms of diversification of economic structure. Substantial progress has been made in increasing food production, progress has been made in the diversification of India’s industrial structure, and also, India has taken giant strides in science and technology. These are all very positive developments. In terms of overall growth rate also, India’s growth rate after Independence, in the 60-year period would be above 3.5 to 5 per cent which is good enough when compared with the growth rate of less than 1 per cent which prevailed in the preceding 50 years.
3. At the same time what has to be recognised is that the progress made has fallen far short of the aspirations of people, the objective potential of the economy and plan targets. The basic problems have arisen because of inefficient use of resources. Partly it is the result of over- regulation of the economy, over-bureaucratisation, and excessive importance given to public sector without ensuring that the public sector undertakings have the necessary autonomy to function as profit making centres. Adequate attention has also not been paid to the task of increasing exports. The BIGGEST failure probably has been inadequate emphasis on social sector development. Education, health care etc are the sectors which have not received the attention they ought to have deserved.
4. The way we are moving today, we could have two Indias - A reasonably successful urban India, bustling with economic activity, which has 30 per cent of India’s population, and a poor India with 70 per cent population. For real growth to happen – not just economic but social growth and development – there needs to complete change of emphasis, with more focus on the agriculture and rural growth.
5. There are a few steps that we need to take to ensure REAL growth for India
• We need to bring in technology and private enterprise to the agriculture sector. The middle man makes a huge fortune in agriculture sector. If the infrastructure is built up we could improve the quality of intermediation. This would improve the terms of trade for the farmer.
• To improve the lot of poor, employment opputunities need to be improved. Employment opportunities cannot increase unless our economy agriculture, industry and services grow.
• Maximum possible decentralisation should be the key word of India’s development administration. However, decentralisation should be coordinated decentralisation mindful of India’s interest as a common national market, mindful of the fact that as a country India has wide regional disparities. If the federation is to be kept going, the poorer people and the poorer states should have the assurance that their needs will be properly attended.