Planning

Despite various differences, there was consensus on one aspect: development couldn’t be left solely to private actors. Instead, there was a recognition of the need for government intervention in designing and planning development initiatives.

The Planning Commission, established by a resolution of the Government of India in March 1950, played a pivotal advisory role. Its recommendations required approval from the Union Cabinet to be effective. The Commission’s scope of work was defined by ensuring social, economic, and political justice, as outlined in the Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy.

The Planning Commission’s establishment wasn’t a sudden development but rather a culmination of public support for planning processes, influenced by global events like the Great Depression and the economic growth witnessed in the Soviet Union. Even big industrialists, contrary to assumptions, supported the idea of planning. In 1944, they drafted the Bombay Plan, advocating for state-led initiatives in economic investments.

Thus, from various ideological standpoints, planning for development emerged as the logical choice for post-Independence India. The Planning Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, became instrumental in determining India’s development path and strategy.

India has faced many important decisions, which are entangled with each other, but is guided by a common motive of economic development. Disagreements did arose with regards to the role of government in achivement of such a goal. There was questioning on the role of government in development, divergence on extent of centralisation and so forth. Let us discuss the political contestations in details!