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Critically examine the relevance of development planning in India ? 10 Marks (UPSC CSE Mains 2024 - Sociology, Paper 2)
Development, planning and change are interrelated terms. In sociology, development essentially refers to a process of social change, which is planned and desired by a society. Development is a value-laden concept. Social change refers to alterations that occur in the social structure and social relations. It is a value-free or neutral concept. Planning, which simply means arrangement of parts in a certain design or a formulated scheme for getting something done, is an important factor in social change. Planning implies that ways and means are devised and decisions for future actions are chalked out well in advance. All cases of social change cannot be described as development. Only, planned and desired social change can be described as development. Thus, we can see that the three terms are closely inter-linked but have their own specific meaning.
Modernisation theory, building on the ideas of Durkheim and Weber, emphasises that industrialisation involves changes in people’s attitudes and expectations as well as in the structure of their relationships. Planned changes in economic, social, political and other spheres have been more recently defined as development.
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India embarked on the process of planned, socio-economic development after independence. The various schemes of development drawn up by the leaders of independent India not only cover economic aspects but also non-economic aspects like health, education, population control, political participation etc.
The goals of development have been enshrined in the Constitution and various planning documents to produce a social order, which guarantees equality, freedom and justice.
In keeping with the changing times, the Government of India has decided to set up NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), in place of the erstwhile Planning Commission, as a means to better serve the needs and aspirations of the people of India. Unlike the Planning Commission, NITI Aayog is a more flexible and responsive institution that can adapt to changing economic, social, and environmental realities.
Indian developmental planning is an open process. Much of the controversy and the debates that accompany the preparation of the plans are public. From original formulation through successive modifications to parliamentary presentation, plan making in India has evolved as a responsive democratic political process and the culmination of the same in the final document is an impressive manifestation of the workings of an open society.
According to Dubashi India’s approach to planning tries to reconcile planning with democracy and increased production with equitable distribution. The Indian approach to planning emphasises both upholding of human values and pursuit of material advancement.
POSTED ON 19-03-2025 BY ADMIN
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