Question

How did the government work during the Second Five Year Plan to achieve 'Socialist pattern of society' as declared in the Congress session held at Mysore ? Explain.

Hint:

Recall the Mahalanobis model and the Industrial Policy of 1956.
Mention heavy industry in the public sector and state control.

Answer 1

Step 1: Context:
The Second Five Year Plan (1956-61) was drawn up under the Mahalanobis model. The government wanted to move towards a socialist pattern of society.

Step 2: Point 1: Stress on heavy industry and public sector:
The Plan gave first place to heavy industries such as steel and machine building.
Steel plants were set up at Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur under the public sector.

Step 3: Point 2: State control of the key sectors:
The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 reserved basic industries for the state.
This reduced concentration of wealth and gave the state control over the economy.

Final Answer:
The government pushed heavy industry in the public sector and put key sectors under state control to move towards a socialist pattern of society.