POST INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN ECONOMY

Challenges

Post-independence polices

• Agricultural Backwardness: At independence, India inherited an agrarian economy with low productivity and traditional farming techniques.

• Example: The Bengal Famine of 1943, which resulted in millions of deaths, highlighted the acute food security issues

• Green Revolution in the 1960s: Introduced high-yield variety seeds, irrigation infrastructure, and modern agricultural practices, leading to increased food production but also causing regional disparities and environmental issues.

• Industrial Underdevelopment: The industrial sector was underdeveloped with limited large-scale industries. The British colonial policy had stifled indigenous industries while promoting British imports.

• Post-independence, India adopted a mixed economy model with significant state intervention. The establishment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) aimed to kickstart industrialization.

• High Population Growth: India’s population growth rate was exceptionally high post-independence, which put immense pressure on the economy.

• Example: Population grew from about 361 million in 1951 to over 846 million by 1991.

• Family planning programs were initiated, but progress has been varied across regions.

• Poverty and Inequality: A significant portion of the population lived in poverty.

• Example: The Planning Commission estimated that 45% of the population was below the poverty line in the early 1950s.

• Various poverty alleviation programs, such as the Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) were introduced

• Infrastructural Deficits: Infrastructure was poorly developed with inadequate transportation networks, limited electrification, and poor communication facilities.

• Example: Many rural areas lacked basic road connectivity.

• Investment in infrastructure development became a priority, with significant projects like the construction of dams (Bhakra Nangal) and the expansion of the railway network.

• Unemployment and Underemployment: High rates of unemployment and underemployment were prevalent, particularly in rural areas where agriculture was the primary occupation. The urban informal sector also saw significant underemployment.

• Government initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aimed to provide employment and alleviate rural distress

• Foreign Exchange Crisis: India faced severe foreign exchange shortages due to high import bills and limited export earnings.

• Example: The Balance of Payments crisis of 1991 is a prominent example.

• Economic liberalization and reforms in 1991, including opening up the economy to foreign investment, deregulation, and reduction in trade barriers, which transformed the economic landscape.

• Fiscal Deficits: High fiscal deficits due to extensive public sector expenditure and subsidies

• Example: The fiscal deficit was over 8% of GDP in the early 1990s.

• Reforms focused on fiscal consolidation, reducing subsidies, and improving tax collection