The Fifth Five-Year Plan started in 1974. The main focus of this plan was to reduce poverty, create jobs, and improve justice in society. The popular slogan during this time was “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty).
Main Objectives of the Plan
The plan aimed to:
- Reduce poverty
- Increase employment opportunities
- Improve social justice
- Achieve self-reliance in agriculture and defence
Important Programs and Policies
One of the major programs introduced was the Twenty-Point Programme in 1975. This program focused on improving the economic and social conditions of people, especially the poor. It continued for several years.
Another important initiative was the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP), introduced in 1974. Its aim was to provide basic facilities to people, such as:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Drinking water
- Housing
This program helped improve the standard of living of common people.
Development in Infrastructure
During this period:
- The national highway system was developed
- Many roads were widened to support growing traffic
- Tourism sector also expanded
These developments helped improve connectivity and economic activity.
Changes in Power Sector
In 1975, the Electricity Supply Act was amended. This allowed the central government to participate more actively in:
- Power generation
- Electricity transmission
This helped strengthen the energy sector.
Political Change and End of Plan
In 1978, the new government led by Morarji Desai decided to end this plan before its full term. So, the Fifth Plan did not continue for the entire planned period.
Growth Performance
The target growth rate was 4.4%, but the actual growth achieved was 4.8%, which was slightly higher than expected.
Conclusion
In simple terms, the Fifth Five-Year Plan focused on reducing poverty and improving basic living conditions. It introduced important welfare programs and improved infrastructure. Despite being ended early, it performed better than expected in terms of growth.