Which of the following best encapsulates the major objective of the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–1979), and how did it signify a shift in India's development priorities compared to earlier plans?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Emphasis on poverty alleviation (Garibi Hatao), social justice, and redistribution of wealth alongside economic growth.
Explanation:
☛ The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–1979) focused primarily on two main objectives: poverty eradication (Garibi Hatao) and the attainment of self-reliance.
☛ It marked a strategic shift from the earlier 'trickle-down' growth models by directly linking economic growth with social justice, income redistribution, and poverty alleviation.
☛ The draft of the Fifth Five-Year Plan was prepared and launched by D.D. Dhar.
☛ Under this plan, the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP) was introduced in 1974 to provide basic public amenities such as primary education, health, drinking water, and rural housing.
☛ Although planned for 1974–1979, this plan was terminated a year early in 1978 by the incoming Janata Party government, which replaced it with the Rolling Plan.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961): Based on the P.C. Mahalanobis Model, it focused heavily on rapid industrialization and public sector capital goods production.
☛ Twenty-Point Programme: Launched in July 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to improve the quality of life and alleviate poverty during the Fifth Plan period.
☛ Rolling Plan (1978–1980): Introduced by the Janata Party government led by Morarji Desai after cutting short the Fifth Plan.
☛ Growth Target: The targeted growth rate of the Fifth Plan was 4.4%, while the actual achieved growth rate was 4.8%, making it financially successful.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who prepared and launched the draft of the Fifth Five-Year Plan? → D.D. Dhar
☛ In which year was the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP) introduced in India? → 1974
☛ Which famous anti-poverty political slogan became the core theme of the Fifth Plan? → Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty)
☛ In which year was the Fifth Five-Year Plan officially terminated by the Janata government? → 1978
☛ What was the achieved economic growth rate of the Fifth Five-Year Plan against the 4.4% target? → 4.8%