Question

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about the first two Five Year Plan ?

• A. The first Five Year Plan was drafted by K.N. Raj and the second Five Year Plan was drafted by P.C. Mahalnobis.
• B. The first Five Year Plan focussed on agriculture and the second Five Year Plan focussed on industries.
• C. The first Five Year Plan emphasized on the active role of the public sector and the second Five Year Plan made huge allocations for large scale projects.
• D. The aim of first Five Year Plan was to raise the industrial production and in the second Five Year Plan, the government imposed substantial tariffs on imports in order to protect both public and private sector industries.

Hint:

Key Distinction: - 1st FYP (1951–56): K.N. Raj $\rightarrow$ Agriculture, Irrigation & Dams. - 2nd FYP (1956–61): P.C. Mahalanobis $\rightarrow$ Rapid Heavy Industrialization & Import Tariffs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: India adopted planned economic development after independence, establishing the Planning Commission in 1950. The First Five-Year Plan covered 1951–1956, and the Second Five-Year Plan covered 1956–1961.

Step 1: Analyzing First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956).
- Drafting: Drafted by young economist K.N. Raj with a message to "hasten slowly".
- Focus: Main priority was the agricultural sector to address severe food shortages, partition shocks, and land issues. Major investments were made in large dams like Bhakra-Nangal.

Step 2: Analyzing Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961).
- Drafting: Formulated under the leadership of renowned statistician P.C. Mahalanobis.
- Focus: Primary focus shifted to rapid heavy industrialization and development of basic capital goods industries. To protect domestic industries, the government imposed high tariffs on imports.

Step 3: Evaluating Option (D).
Option (D) incorrectly asserts that the *aim of the First Five Year Plan was to raise industrial production*. As established, the First Plan was focused primarily on agricultural development, while industrial expansion was the main target of the Second Plan. Therefore, Statement (D) is factually incorrect and is the correct answer.