Fourth Plan
The Fourth Plan (1969-74) aimed at accelerating the tempo of development of reducing
fluctuations in agricultural production as well as the impact of uncertainties of foreign aid. It
sought to raise the standard of living through programmes designed to promote equality and
social justice. The Plan laid particular emphasis on improving the conditions of the less
privileged and weaker sections especially through provision of employment and education.
Efforts were directed towards reduction of concentration of wealth, income and economic power
to promote equity. The Plan aimed at increasing the net domestic product (at 1968-69 factor cost)
from ₹ 29,071 crore in 1969-70 to ₹ 38,306 crore in 1973-74. The average annual compound rate
of growth envisaged was 5.7 per cent.
Fifth Plan
The Fifth Plan (1974-79) was formulated against the backdrop of severe inflationary
pressures. The major objectives of the plan were to achieve self-reliance and adopt measures for
raising the consumption standard of people living below the poverty line. This Plan also gave
high priority to bring inflation under control and to achieve stability in the economic situation. It
targeted an annual growth rate of 5.5 percent in the national income. Four Annual Plans
pertaining to the Fifth Plan period were completed. It was subsequently decided to end the Fifth
Plan period with the close of the Annual Plan 1978-79.
Sixth Plan
Removal of poverty was the foremost objective of the Sixth Plan (1980-85). The strategy
adopted was to move simultaneously towards strengthening the infrastructure for both
agriculture and industry. Stress was laid on tackling interrelated problems through a systematic
approach with greater management, efficiency and intensive monitoring in all sectors and active
involvement of people in formulating specific schemes of development at the local level and
securing their speedy and effective implementation. The actual expenditure in the Sixth Plan
stood at ₹ 1,09,291.7 crore (current price) as against the envisaged total public sector outlay of ₹
97,500 crore (1979-80 prices) accounting for a 12 per cent increase in nominal terms. The
average annual growth rate targeted for the Plan was 5.2 per cent.
Seventh Plan
The Seventh Plan (1985-90) emphasized policies and programmes, which aimed at rapid
growth in food grains production, increased employment opportunities and productivity within
the framework of basic tenets of planning, namely, growth, modernization, self reliance and
social justice. Food grains production during the Seventh Plan grew by 3.23 per cent as
compared to a long-term growth rate of 2.68 per cent between 1967-68 and 1988-89 and the
growth rate of 2.55 per cent in the eighties due to overall favourable weather conditions,
implementation of various thrust programmes and concerted efforts of the Government and the
farmers. To reduce unemployment and consequently, the incidence of poverty, special
programmes like Jawahar Rozgar Yojana were launched in addition to the existing programmes.
Due recognition was accorded to the role, small-scale and food processing industries could play
in this regard. The total expenditure during the entire Seventh Plan stood at ₹ 2,18,729.62 crore
(current prices) as against the envisaged total public sector outlay of ₹ 1,80,000 crore, resulting