The Sixth Plan began at a time when the economy was severely disrupted by the drought of 1979. In addition, there was a sharp deterioration in our terms of trade because of steep increase in the price of imported oil in 1979 and 1980.
Similarly, the position of balance of payments was bad and rate of inflation was high. All this threatened stability of economic system and the possibility of continued growth.
Yet successful efforts were made to restore economic stability and continue the process of growth and development. The Plan was based on a set of objectives, which are listed below.
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The Sixth Plan was formulated after taking into account the achievements and shortcomings of the past three decades of planning in the country. Removal of poverty continued to be the main aim of this Plan.
This approval was adopted even though it was recognised that removal of poverty was a gigantic task and could not be easily accomplished in a short time.
Objectives of the Sixth Plan:
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Keeping the above facts in view, the main objectives of the Sixth Plan were set as under:
(i) to achieve a significant increase in the rate of growth of economy;
(ii) to promote efficiency in the use of resources and to achieve improved productivity;
(iii) To reduce poverty and unemployment,
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(iv) A speedy development of indigenous sources of energy;
(v) To improve the quality of life of the people in general and the poor and socially handicapped in particular;
(vi) To reduce the inequalities of income and wealth for the benefit of the poor;
(vii) To reduce regional inequalities in development and technological benefits;
(viii) To promote policies for controlling the growth of population through voluntary acceptance of the small family norm;
In order to achieve these goals it was proposed to:
(a) Provide more facilities for agriculture and industry,
(b) To achieve speedy growth in investments, output and exports through special programmes.
(c) To increase employment opportunities in rural and unorganised sectors and
(d) To seek the active co-operation of public.
Achievements :
On the whole, the Sixth Plan was fairly successful as it moved the nation towards continued growth, modernisation and social justice. The satisfactory implementation of the Plan increased the nation’s ability to deal with the problems of poverty and under-development. It made us hopeful of eradicating poverty.
In the Sixth Plan actual expenditure incurred was Rs. 1,09,291.7 crore as against the proposed expenditure of Rs. 97,500 crores. The average annual growth rate for the Plan worked out to 5.2 per cent. It was equal to the targeted growth rate for the Plan period.