HISTORY OF PLANNING IN INDIA

           First of all the idea of planned economy was crystallized in 1930s when our national leaders came under the influence of socialist philosophy. India’s Five year plans were very much impressed by the rapid strides achieved by the USSR through five years plans.

        In 1934, Sir M. Visvesvaraya had published a book titled “Planned Economy in India”, in which he presented a constructive draft of the development of India in next ten years. His core idea was to lay out a plan to shift labor from agriculture to industries and double up National income in ten years. This was the first concrete scholarly work towards planning. The economic perspective of India’s freedom movement was formulated during the thirties between the 1931 Karachi session of Indian National Congress, 1936 Faizpur session of India National Congress.

National Planning Committee

        The first attempt to develop a national plan for India came up in 1938. In that year, Congress President Subhash Chandra Bose had set up a National Planning Committee with Jawaharlal Nehru as its president. However the reports of the committee could not be prepared and only for the first time in 1948 -49 some papers came out.

Bombay Plan

         In 1944 Eight Industrialists of Bombay viz. Mr. JRD Tata, GD Birla, Purshottamdas Thakurdas, Lala Shriram, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, AD Shroff , Ardeshir Dalal, & John Mathai working together prepared “A Brief Memorandum Outlining a Plan of Economic Development for India”. This is known as “Bombay Plan”. This plan envisaged doubling the per capita income in 15 years and tripling the national income during this period. Nehru did not officially accept the plan, yet many of the ideas of the plan were inculcated in other plans which came later.

People’s Plan

          People’s plan was drafted by MN Roy. This plan was for ten years period and gave greatest priority to Agriculture. Nationalization of all agriculture and production was the main feature of this plan. This plan was based on Marxist socialism and drafted by M N Roy on behalf of the Indian federation of Lahore.

Gandhian Plan

         This plan was drafted by Sriman Nayaran, principal of Wardha Commercial College. It emphasized the economic decentralization with primacy to rural development by developing the cottage industries.

Sarvodaya Plan

         Sarvodaya Plan (1950) was drafted by Jaiprakash Narayan. This plan itself was inspired by Gandhian Plan and Sarvodaya Idea of Vinoba Bhave. This plan emphasized on agriculture and small & cottage industries. It also suggested the freedom from foreign technology and stressed upon land reforms and decentralized participatory planning.

Planning and Development Department

        In August 1944, The British India government set up “Planning and Development Department” under the charge of Ardeshir Dalal. But this department was abolished in 1946.

Planning Advisory Board

        In October 1946, a planning advisory board was set up by Interim Government to review the plans and future projects and make recommendations upon them.

Planning Commission

          Immediately after independence in 1947, the Economic Programme Committee (EPC) was formed by All India Congress Committee with Nehru as its chairman. This committee was to make a plan to balance private and public partnership and urban and rural economies. In 1948, this committee recommended forming of a planning commission. In March 1950, in pursuance of declared objectives of the Government to promote a rapid rise in the standard of living of the people by efficient exploitation of the resources of the country, increasing production and offering opportunities to all for employment in the service of the community, the Planning Commission was set up by a Resolution of the Government of India as an advisory and specialized institution. Planning Commission was an extra-constitutional body, charged with the responsibility of making assessment of all resources of the country, augmenting deficient resources, formulating plans for the most effective and balanced utilization of resources and determining priorities. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Chairman of the Planning Commission.

National Development Council

        Government of India could take the initiative to set up the planning commission only by virtue of provision in the constitution which made Economic & Social planning an item in Concurrent list. The Resolution to set up a planning commission was actually based upon the assumption that the roots of Centre- State cooperation should be deeper. Later, in 1952, the setting up of the National Development Council was in fact a consequence of this provision.

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES IN INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Introduction: Originally, the constitution of India did not contain any list of fundamental duties. In other words, enjoyment of fundamental rights was not conditional on the performance of fundamental duties.

        Democratic rights are based on the theory that rights are not created by the state. Individuals are born with right. It is on this theory that the Indians before independence raised the slogan that “freedom is our birth right.” It is in this sense again that Professor Laski asserts that the “state does not create rights, it only recognizes rights.”

         The socialists on the other hand, make enjoyment or rights conditional on the fulfillment of duties. They claim that “he who does not work, neither shall he eat.” The constitution of the world’s first socialist country, that of Soviet Union contains a list of fundamental rights immediately followed by a list of fundamental duties. It is clearly asserted that the enjoyment of fundamental rights is conditional on the satisfactory performance of fundamental duties.

         It was on this Soviet model that fundamental duties were added to the Indian Constitution by 42nd amendment of the constitution in 1976. The fundamental duties are contained in Art. 51A.

List of Fundamental Duties: Art. 51A, Part IVA of the Indian Constitution, specifies the list of fundamental duties of the citizens. It says “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India:

1.     to abide by the constitution and respect its ideal and institutions;

2.     to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;

3.     to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

4.     to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;

5.     to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional diversities, to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

6.     to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

7.     to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wild-life and to have compassion for living creatures;

8.     to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;

9.     to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

10.   to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity, so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement. Further, one more Fundamental duty has been added to the Indian Constitution by 86th Amendment of the constitution in 2002.

11.   who is a parent or guardian , to provide opportunities for education to his child, or as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

Why fundamental duties are important? 

         We should all acknowledge our responsibility to perform our fundamental duties. The importance of fundamental duties are highlighted below:

• ·         The fundamental duties enumerated in Article 51A constitute a constant reminder to the citizens that they have duties in building up a free, egalitarian, healthy and responsible society. These are expected to act as damper to reckless and anti-social activities on the part of some individuals.
• ·         India is a multi-racial and multi-religional country. Such a vast democratic country like India can prosper only when the citizens of this country respect its integrity and promotes cultural harmony.
• ·         It is important to respect womanhood and citizens of India are expected to refrain from practices that are dis-respectful towards women.
• ·         Environmental pollution has become a great cause of concern, not only for Indian, but for the entire humanity. Unless, we all take the pledge to keep our environment free from pollutants, there remains the threat of undesirable consequences.
• ·         The fundamental duties aims at safeguarding public properties.
• ·         The inclusion of providing opportunity for education for children as a Fundamental duty is a big step forward towards safeguard of human-rights and abolition of social injustices

Non-enforceable and Non-justiciable:
         The fundamental duties however are non-enforceable and non-justiciable in character. This means that no citizen can be punished by a court for violation of a fundamental duty. In this respect the fundamental duties are like the directive principles of the constitution in part IV. The directive principles lay down some high ideals to be followed by the state. Similarly, the fundamental duties in Art 51A, lay down some high ideals to be followed by the citizens. In both cases, violation does not invite any punishment. It is significant that the fundamental duties are placed at the end of part IV rather than at the end of part III of the constitution. While part III containing fundamental rights is justiciable, part IV containing the directive principles is not.

Conclusion: These fundamental duties are not mere expressions of pious platitudes. Courts will certainly take cognizance of laws seeking to give effect to fundamental duties.

         Finally, the very fact that these duties figure in the constitution, keeps the door open for the duties to be given higher constitutional at status in future through constitutional amendments.

INDIA UNDER VICEROYS

1.Lord Canning (1858-1862)

            Following the Queen's recommendation in 1858, transferring the Government from the company to the British Crown, Lord Canning was made the first Viceroy of India. Important developments in his regime were as follows:

·        Financial reforms : 5% income tax was imposed on all are links beyond Rs. 500 a year.

·        Judicial reforms :Penal code was prepared by incorporating the suggestions earlier made by the First Law Commission headed by Lord Macaulay. High courts were set up at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras under the provisions of the Indian High Courts act of 1861.

2.Lord Elgin Ist (1861-1863)

              The most important event of his time over the suppression of the Wahabi tribe of the fanatic Muslims inhabiting the North West Frontier.

3.Lord John Lawrence (1864-1869)

              An important event of this time was war against Bhutan in 1865. The Punjab and Oudh Tenancy Act, 1860, was enacted. Two famines hit India; first in 1800 in Orrisa and second in 1868-69 in Bundelkhand and Rajputana. A Famine Commission was set up under the chairmanship of Sir Henry Campbell .

4.Lord Mayo (1869-1872)

            For the first time in my Indian history census was held in 1871. The college was setup and Ajmer to impart suitable education to the sons of the Indian princess. Subsequently, this college came to known as the 'Mayo College". And agricultural department was setup. In 1872, a convict Sher Ali stabbed him to death at Port Blair.

5.Lord Northbrook (1872-1876)

            The main events of this period were: deposition of Gaekwad in 1874; the Kuka movement; visit of Prince of Wales; abolition of income tax; famine in Bihar and Bengal in 1873-1874.

6.Lord Lytton (1876-1880)

Main events of his time period were :

1. Famine in 1876-1878; Famine Commission was appointed in 1878 headed by General Richard Strachey.

2. The Delhi Durbar, January 1, 1877, was held to decorate Queen Victoria with the title Kaiser-i-Hind.

3. The Vernacular Press Act, 1878 was passed, putting several curbs on the vernacular newspapers.

4. Indian Arms act, 1878 forbade the Indian people from keeping or deeling in arms with the permission of the Government.

5. Foundation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College was laid by Lord Lytton in 1877 at Aligarh.

6. Satautory Civil Service in 1879. It was also laid down that the candidates had to appear and pass the civil services examination which began to be held in England. The maximum age for these candidates were reduced from 21 to 19 years.

7.Lord Ripon (1880-1884)

                Important events during Ripon's stint as viceroy were as follows:-

1. Repeal of Vernacular Press act, 1882.

2. Resolution in 1882 for institution of local self-government in India.

3. Constitution of the Hunter commission on education (1882).

4. The maximum age of admission to civil services raised to 21.

5. Introduction of the Ilber Bill which would authorize India judges to hear cases against the Europeans as well.

8.Lord Dufferin (1884-1888)

                His period witnessed the third Anglo Burmese war which led to the accession of upper Burma. Three Tenancy Acts were passed to give greater security of tenure or to the tenants.

9.Lord Lansdowne (1888-1894)

                Major developments during his period are : enactment of second factory act; demarcation of the Indo-Afghan border (Durand Line); Second Indian council Act (1892).

10.Lord Elgin II (1894-1899)

                A bubonic plague in Bombay in 1896 and sever draught in Bikaner and Hissar district were some of the important events of his period.

11.Lord Curzon (1899-1905)

Highlights of his period were as follows:

1. Lord Curzon set up a Famine Commision.

2. The Punjab Land Alienation Act of 1900, prohibited the sale of agricultural lands for its attachment in execution of a decree.

3. Agricultural banks were established.

4. In 1904, the cooperative credit societies act was passed.

5. The Department of agriculture was established in 1901.

6. He founded on agriculture research Institute at Pusa.

7. Commission was appointed in 1901 to consider the problems of education.

8. In order to preserve and protect ancient monuments of India, he passed the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, and Archaeological Department was established in 1901.

9. The setup of Police Commission under the Chairmanship of Sir Andrew Frazer in 1902.

10. A Criminal Investigation Department was opened in each district. In 1901 the Imperial Cadet Corps was set up.

12.Lord Minto II (1905-1910)

                  His stint as viceroy is famous for the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909 which provided for separate electorate to Muslims.

13.Lord Hardinge II (1910-1916)

                 In the honour of King George V and Queen Mary of England, Coronation Darbar was held at Delhi. In 1911 the capital of country was announced to be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. In 1912, Delhi became the new capital. When Lord Hardinge was heading a procession through the Chandi Chowk in his new capital, some extremist revolutionaries through a bomb burn him. The Viceroy himself escaped unhurt. The First World War broke out in 1914. In 1916, Lord Hardinge laid the foundation of the Benaras Hindu University. Madan Mohan Malaviya was the Founder-Chancellor of this university.

14.Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921)

                 Enactment of the Government of India, 1919 (Montague-Chelmsfor Reforms) which introduced dyarchy in the provincess; enactment of Rowlatt Act (1919); the Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy (1919); and the beginning of the Non-cooperation Movement were some of the important events in his period.

15.Lord Reading (1921-26)

                 Held of the Non-Corporation Movement (1922); arrival of the Prince of Wales (1921); and outbreak of the Moplah Revolt (1921) was some of the events of his period.

16.Lord Irwin (1926-31)

The Viceroylty of Irwin is known for

1. Appointment of Simon commission in 1928.

2. Passing of the resolution for complete independence (purna smarajya) in 1929.

3. Launching of the civil Disobedience movement.

4. Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931;

5. First Around Table Conference (1930).

17.Lord Willingdon (1931-1936)

Important events were :

1. The second Around Table Conference, 1931 ;

2. Restarting of the Disbodience Movement, 1931

3. The communal award, 1932; the Poona act;

4. Third Round Table Conference, 1932

5. The Government of India Of 1935;

6. Earthquake in Bihar on January 15, 1934.

18.Lord Linlithgow (1936-44)

Highlights of his reign were :

1. Longest reign as viceroy of India

2. Beginning of the Second World War.

3. Coming into force of the Government of India Act 1935 with provinces going to elections.

4. Arrival of the Cripps Mission.

5. Beginning of the Quit India Movement,

6. Great Famine of Bengal (1943)

19.Lord Wavell (1944-1947)

                 His period is famous for the Shimla conference, 1945; arrival of the Cabinet Mission, 1946; the Constituent Assembly boycotted by the Muslim League which launched the heinous "Direct Action Day" on August 16, 1946; the Intrim Government under Pt. Jawajarlal Nehru's leadership; Attlee's Declaration that his government was intended to hand over the Administration of India to her people before June 1948, even if no agreement was reached between the Congress and the Muslim League.

20.Lord Mountabatten, (March 1947-June 1948)

               Declaration of third June, 1947; Indian Independence Act, Partition of the country between two independent states of India and Pakistan with Lord Mountbatten and Mr M.A. Jinnah as thier respective Governor generals.