DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22465#0066
Six
February 17, 1957
1956-A YEAR OF DECISION FOR INDIA
A single year is a
small unit of time in the
life of a nation, but 1956
will remain for India in
some significant directions
a year of decision.
Three such directions
in whioh the year would
be memorable are: First,
India after successfully
completing her First Five
Year Plan has embarked
on a Second Five \ear
Plan of dimensions nearly
two and a half times
that of the first one.
secondly, India had im-
plemented a large-scale
reorganization of her in-
ternal territorial bounda-
ries to rationalize the
political map and also put
through a series of social
measures designed to
strengthen the social struc-
ture; thirdly, India has
contributed in her own
way to th9 preservation
and promotion of world
peaoe by a consistent
polioy based on Panch
Sheet and support to the
United Nations' efforts
in that sphere.
1956, therefore, saw
India getting progressively
stronger internally with
her tconomy in good fet-
tie and her social struc-
ture vitalised, while ex-
ternally her prestige has
progressively inoreased in
the oounoils of the world.
And, what is more, all
tliis has been achieved by
an adherence to democra-
tic processes in which
discussion, negotiation and
peaceful settlement ; of
issues predominate and by
preparing for sacrifices
demanded by national
interest.
Smooth Transition
The transition from
the first to y the second
Five Year Plan has been
smooth enough to seem a
natural prooess. With
national economic objeo-
tives clearly defined, and
with national policies effec-
tively planned to achieve
the objectives. India is
moving forward to the
goal of a Welfare State.
Illustrative of her efforts
to achieve this objeotive
are two factors. Firstly,
within a few months after
the launohing of the Se-
cond Plan, the target of
outlay under the Plan on
development sohemes had
been revised from Re.
4,800 crores to Rs. 5,309
crores, without this up
ward revision evoking
much of a controversy.
Seoondiy, realising that
national eoonomic strength
oannot be aohieved with-
out a corresponding degree
of sacrifice of personal
comforts on the part of
all aections of people, the
levy of taxation, over aDd
above what was earlier
estimated as necessary,
to bring in about Rs. 400
croresof additional revenue
to the exchequer during
the second Plan period
has been decided upon,
'i he first instalment of
proposals in this connec-
tion has been agreed to
by Parliament at its last
session.
Flexibility of Plan
At the same time an
important characteristic
of India's Plan has been
repeatedly stressed, namely,
its flexibility. There is
nothing to prevent a re-
vision of the outlay, up-
ward or downward, or a
reassignment of priorities
under tho Plan as circums-
tances warrant later on.
The decision to have
annual evaluations of Plan
schemes is designed to
help this process. India
has, however, given notice
to the world of her in-
tention to rely mainly on
her own eud6avours and
resources in order to im-
plement targets already
fixed and to achieve the
the results already deci-
ded upon, rv
The series of measures
for removal of sooial evils
like untouchability, and
for reforming the Hindu
Code and suppression of
February 17, 1957
1956-A YEAR OF DECISION FOR INDIA
A single year is a
small unit of time in the
life of a nation, but 1956
will remain for India in
some significant directions
a year of decision.
Three such directions
in whioh the year would
be memorable are: First,
India after successfully
completing her First Five
Year Plan has embarked
on a Second Five \ear
Plan of dimensions nearly
two and a half times
that of the first one.
secondly, India had im-
plemented a large-scale
reorganization of her in-
ternal territorial bounda-
ries to rationalize the
political map and also put
through a series of social
measures designed to
strengthen the social struc-
ture; thirdly, India has
contributed in her own
way to th9 preservation
and promotion of world
peaoe by a consistent
polioy based on Panch
Sheet and support to the
United Nations' efforts
in that sphere.
1956, therefore, saw
India getting progressively
stronger internally with
her tconomy in good fet-
tie and her social struc-
ture vitalised, while ex-
ternally her prestige has
progressively inoreased in
the oounoils of the world.
And, what is more, all
tliis has been achieved by
an adherence to democra-
tic processes in which
discussion, negotiation and
peaceful settlement ; of
issues predominate and by
preparing for sacrifices
demanded by national
interest.
Smooth Transition
The transition from
the first to y the second
Five Year Plan has been
smooth enough to seem a
natural prooess. With
national economic objeo-
tives clearly defined, and
with national policies effec-
tively planned to achieve
the objectives. India is
moving forward to the
goal of a Welfare State.
Illustrative of her efforts
to achieve this objeotive
are two factors. Firstly,
within a few months after
the launohing of the Se-
cond Plan, the target of
outlay under the Plan on
development sohemes had
been revised from Re.
4,800 crores to Rs. 5,309
crores, without this up
ward revision evoking
much of a controversy.
Seoondiy, realising that
national eoonomic strength
oannot be aohieved with-
out a corresponding degree
of sacrifice of personal
comforts on the part of
all aections of people, the
levy of taxation, over aDd
above what was earlier
estimated as necessary,
to bring in about Rs. 400
croresof additional revenue
to the exchequer during
the second Plan period
has been decided upon,
'i he first instalment of
proposals in this connec-
tion has been agreed to
by Parliament at its last
session.
Flexibility of Plan
At the same time an
important characteristic
of India's Plan has been
repeatedly stressed, namely,
its flexibility. There is
nothing to prevent a re-
vision of the outlay, up-
ward or downward, or a
reassignment of priorities
under tho Plan as circums-
tances warrant later on.
The decision to have
annual evaluations of Plan
schemes is designed to
help this process. India
has, however, given notice
to the world of her in-
tention to rely mainly on
her own eud6avours and
resources in order to im-
plement targets already
fixed and to achieve the
the results already deci-
ded upon, rv
The series of measures
for removal of sooial evils
like untouchability, and
for reforming the Hindu
Code and suppression of