Q2 of 8 Page 263

What measures were taken to bring in socio-economic change during the initial years after independence?

Independent India was poverty stricken. In order to bring in social and economic change, Nehru set up the Planning Commission to carry out planned development in the country. The First Five Year plan adopted by India focussed on agriculture and the need for increasing food production. Nehru adopted three strategies to transform the rural sector.

Land reform: It included the abolition of the zamindari system, tenancy reform, and land ceilings. These led to the redistribution of agricultural land mainly in the hands of the tiller.


Agricultural cooperatives: The cooperatives helped farmers by providing them with valuable farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, at lower costs.


Local self-government: It monitored that land reforms were carried out and that cooperatives represent the collective interests of the village.


The first five-year plan also focussed on providing irrigation electricity facilities. It also stressed the need to industrialise India.


More from this chapter

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1

Identify the statement or statements in the bracket that is relevant to statements in italics on the left

a) Political equality can be identified with (right to get admission in any school, the principle of one person one vote, right to enter any religious worship place)


b) Universal adult franchise in the Indian context meant (allowing all people to vote for any political party, allowing all people to vote in elections, allowing all people to vote for Congress party)


c) Congress dominance would include (being able to attract people from various ideologies; being able to win most state, assembly seats after elections; being able to use police force during the election)


d) Emergency imposed (restrictions on people’s rights; ensured eradication of poverty; accepted by all political parties)

 3

What do you understand about one-party dominance? Would you consider it as dominance only in elections or also in terms of ideology? Discuss with reasons.

 4

Language became a central rallying point in Indian politics on many occasions, either as a unifying force or as a divisive element. Identify these instances and describe them.

 5

What were the major changes in the political system after the 1967 elections?