Planning (Part – II)

Total Questions: 50

31. "Twenty Point Economic Programme' was first launched in the year: [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (b) 1975
Solution:The Twenty Point Programme (TPP) was launched by the Government of India in 1975. Its main objective was to promote agricultural and industrial production with eradication of poverty and improvement in the quality of life of the common man. The programme was first revised in 1982 and again in 1986. It was again restructured in 2006, keeping in view the challenges of the 21st Century with particular reference to the process of economic reforms.

32. Core sector in the planning mean: [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (d) Selected basic industries
Solution:The core sector in the planning implies selected basic industries. These are: Electricity, steel, refinery products. crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilizers. These have a major impact on general economic activities and also on industrial activities. The core sector represents the capital base of the Indian economy.

33. The principal reason why national economic planning is still being pursued inspite of embracing a market economy since 1991 is that: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (c) Five Year Plans can continue to provide a long-term perspective to the economy in market-friendly fashions
Solution:The national economic planning was pursued inspite of embracing a market economy since 1991, because Five Year Plans could continue to provide a long-term perspective to the economy in market-friendly fashions.

However, the Five Year Plans were laid to rest by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government and the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) is considered the last Five Year Plan of India. The NITI Aayog has replaced the Planning Commission and launched three-year action plan as a part of a seven-year strategy and a 15-year vision document.

34. The planning process in the industrial sector in India has assumed a relatively less important position in the nineties as compared to that in the earlier period. Which one of the following is not true in this regard? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (d) The nation's priorities have shifted away from industrial development to rural development
Solution:The New Economic Policy adopted in July, 1991 had given special role to the private sector due to the emphasis on market mechanisms. Now, through the planning process, the government provided an environment for development and gives it a direction.

Thus, statement (a), (b) and (c) are true which explain the declining important position of industries sector after nineties in the planning process. However, industrial development as well as agricultural and rural development were/are still the national priorities. Hence, the correct answer is option (d).

35. Consider the following statements: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

Statement (A): Bottom-Up Planning' is a goal that is yet to be achieved.

Reason (R): Village as a unit is very suitable for economic viability.

With reference to above which one of the following is the correct answer:

 

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:Panchayati Raj (Article 40) is mentioned in the Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) of the Constitution. Village has been accepted as the most primary unit of planning in Article 40. An attempt has been made to embody the Panchayati Raj through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993. This has been done because 'Bottom-Up Planning' is a goal that is yet to be achieved. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

36. Arrange the following in their chronological order: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]

1. First Five Year Plan was submitted to Parliament.

2. National Development Council was set-up.

3. First devaluation of Indian currency after independence took place.

4. India became member of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Select the correct answer with the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 4,3,1,2
Solution:Chronological order of the given statements is as follows:

1. India became member of IMF. (1945)

2. First devaluation of Indian currency after independence took place. (1949)

3. First Five Year Plan was submitted to Parliament. (8 December, 1951)

4. National Development Council was set-up. (6 August, 1952)

37. 'Yojana' magazine is being published by which of the following? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

Correct Answer: (c) Publications Division
Solution:Yojana magazine is published by the Publications Division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Yojana is a monthly journal devoted to the socio-economic issues. It started its publication in 1957 with Mr. Khuswant Singh as the Chief Editor.

38. Who authored the book, 'Planned Economy for India'? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (a) M. Visvesvaraya
Solution:M. Visvesvaraya authored the book 'Planned Economy for India'. He was the first to advocate the idea of planning for India. In this book, he proposed a ten-year plan with the aim of doubling the income of the country. His main emphasis was on industrialization so as to reduce the population's dependent on agriculture.

Other Important books authored by M Visvesvaraya:
Reconstructing India (1920)
Memories of my working life (1951)
Unemployment of India; its cause and cure (1932)
Speeches (1917)

39. The author of the book titled 'Planning and the Poor' is: [Uttrakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007, R.A.S./R.T.S (Pre) 1998]

Correct Answer: (b) B.S. Minhas
Solution:B.S. Minhas is the author of the book  'Planning and the poor'.

DR. MINHAS must be one of the few Cassandras with the dubious distinction of having their dire predictions borne out much sooner than even they had predicted. The book under review begins with a description of the events Icading to the emergence of the political climate in which Dr. Minhas' fears regarding the emerging pressure on resources and the primary need to curb the galloping inflation were ignored, leading to his resignation from the Planning Commission.

It ends with the note he wrote for the Commission on the Draft Fifth Plan before his resignation In between is a collection of Dr. Minhas' writings during the past five years on planning,.and in particular the problem of rural poverty and its amelio- ration.

40. National Development Council is mainly concerned with: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001, 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) approval of Five Year Plans
Solution:NDC (National Development Council) was set up on 6 August, 1952 to strengthen and mobilize the effort and resources of the nation in support of the Five Year Plans made by the Planning Commission, to promote common economic policies in all vital spheres, and to ensure the balanced and rapid development of all parts of the country. It was the apex body to take decisions on matters related to approval of Five Year Plans prepared by the erstwhile Planning Commission.

To review the working of the Plan from time to time and to recommend such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets set out in the National Plan was also a major function of NDC. Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the NDC.

NDC has been proposed to be abolished. But till date no resolution has been passed to abolish it. Since the inception of NITI Aayog's Governing Council (which has almost the same composition and roles as NDC), the NDC has had no work assigned to it nor did it have any meetings.