Planning poverty and economic development

India began her journey on the path of planned economic progress in the year 1950. In 1954, the goal of 'socialistic pattern of society' was accepted as the ultimate objective of the economic policy of the country. Since the advent of planning era, considerable economic distance has been covered by India in quantitative terms. But in qualitative terms, particularly in the sphere of distri bution and upliftment of the rural masses, the country has virtually remained stagnant. In the face of the abject poverty in which the masses subsist the goal of 'socialism' or 'Gandhian Sarvodaya' glitters as a mirage, a cry in the wilderness.

Dr. Kumar makes a valuable contribution to an understanding of the country's econo mic problems. In particular, his analysis of the nature of poverty in India, the extent of regional disparities and the unsavoury effect of an industrial licensing policy which led to concentration of economic power in the hands of a few, is commendable.

This book critically analyses the develop ments during the period of five-year plans in India against the background of international developments in the field of planning, poverty and economic development. The author makes an in-depth study of the extent of poverty and unemployment and highlights the inadequacy of our five-year plans in solving these problems. The author also touches upon the problem of inflation and shows how planners in India have failed to take into account certain factors peculiar to the Indian system, in tackling this problem.