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