Notes on Our Development Experience Since Independence 1950-85

Abstract

From Preface: During the last three decades and a half, India's population doubled itself from 361 millions in 1951 to 684 millions in 1981 and it is in this context we have to evaluate our success and failures• The real N.D,P. increased at an annual rate of 3.5 per cent and per capita income at the rate of 1.4 per cent. The increase has been neither smooth nor as planned by the authorities. Three times in thirty years the total income and ten times out of thirty years, the per capita incomes have shown decline over their previous year’s respective figures. In recent years, the amplitudes for annual growth rate fluctuations seem to be widening for the entire period 1950-1985; the annual growth rate for the primary sector is the lowest among the sectors and for each successive decade, they have shown a decline. The annual growth rate for the secondary sector is only 4.6 per cent for the entire period which is a matter for serious concern.