Planning & Development in India

First book by 

Dr Sangeeta Roy Misra

Dept of Political Science

Shaheed Bhagat Singh College

Delhi University 

This book tries to bring to public domain an analysis of the role of Planning Commission when continuation of same is under stake and preparation to revamp the same has already been under process. At the time when government is talking about cooperative federalism and State participation, this book helps students to understand development strategy adopted by India and the methodology followed to implement the same. It is pertinent to study same before adopting new methodology particularly to understand the loopholes in the strategy adopted by us particularly in the context of Human development and peoples’ participation and the result hence achieved. The debate regarding continuity of the institution started earlier (1990s) also when to tackle the financial crises of 1990-91, India embarked on the path of economic liberalization. Although this step was taken to tide over and address the immediate financial crisis faced by government and under pressure from international lending agencies like World Bank, IMF etc but it had a widespread impact on our system of governance and process of development. The biggest dilemma before our economist after adoption of policy of economic liberalization was, whether Planning Commission should be continued or it should be abandoned. Planning commission’s existence was not felt necessary as, from then onwards, major economic matters were to be left to be decided by market factors with least interference and regulation by government. This led to the emergence of a debate1 whether planning should be continued and if yes, what role it should play in future?

The core of the argument is that the transition to a market economy does not eliminate the need for planning for development either by institution of Planning Commission or by creating a new team approach with participation of Centre, State and Bureaucrats in the spirit of ‘Co-operative federalism’. But Planning “now” has to be different from planning “then”. The shift is most evident in education and health sectors where the share of expenditure and focus has increased significantly. However the situation prevalent in the small districts of the states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh indicates that a lot of work is yet to be done. This requires focused approach based on well prepared and regularly updated database and people’s involvement and participation in policy making and their implementation. This is basically because each village/block/district/State has a different developmental level and historical feature that influences the policies of government. Hence to meet the challenge posed by the people and government, their joint endeavor or partnership is required both in devising and implementing plans. This will be achieved by creating a new institution or arrangement as described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “Team India” that includes a combination of three teams- Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of States; the Union Council of Ministers; and the bureaucracy in the Centre and the States.

The book has been written to get a clear understanding of developmental strategy adopted and that what is actually needed.