What was the consensus built on the question of development in the first decade of independence?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Government to develop a design or plan for development.
Option (1) Development could be done by private actors. — Incorrect. The consensus was the opposite: development could not be left to private actors. Poverty alleviation and social and economic redistribution were seen as the responsibility of the government.
Option (2) The market forces should give direction to development. — Incorrect. Letting market forces lead is the liberal-capitalist model of Europe and the US. Very few leaders in India then supported this American-style capitalist development; many were impressed by planned development instead.
Option (3) The colonial path of development would bring economic growth — Incorrect. The nationalist leaders were clear that the economic concerns of free India had to be different from the narrowly defined commercial functions of the colonial government, so no one wanted the colonial path.
Option (4) Government to develop a design or plan for development. — Correct. Despite their differences, there was a consensus that the government had to develop a design or plan for development.
NCERT (2025-26): “Planning … This reflected a broad consensus that had developed during the national movement. The nationalist leaders were clear that the economic concerns of the government of free India would have to be different from the narrowly defined commercial functions of the colonial government. It was clear, moreover, that the task of poverty alleviation and social and economic redistribution was being seen primarily as the responsibility of the government. There were debates among them. For some, industrialisation seemed to be the preferred path. For others, the development of agriculture and in particular alleviation of rural poverty was the priority. Despite the various differences, there was a consensus on one point: that development could not be left to private actors, that there was the need for the government to develop a design or plan for development.” |