Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
The focus of the industrial policies pursued by the colonial government in India was to make our country a mere supplier of Britain's own flourishing industrial base. The policies were concerned mainly with the fortification and advancement for their own country. The industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration has the following shortfalls:
1. Neglect of Indian Handicraft Industries: The British followed a discriminatory tariff policy under which they imposed heavy tariffs (export duties) on India's export of handicraft products while allowed free export of India's raw material to Britain and free import of British products to India. This made Indian exports costlier and its international demand fell drastically leading to the collapse of handicrafts industries. Also, Indian handicrafts faced a stiff competition from machine made textiles of Britain. The emergence of a new section of people who liked the British goods more in comparison to the domestic goods encouraged British industries at the cost of Indian industries. This led to the declining demand for Indian products and encouraged foreign products.
2. Lack of Investment in Indian Industries: The modern industries in India demanded investments in capital goods that were beyond the means of Indian investors. On the other hand, British government was least interested in investing in Indian industries. Thus, due to the lack of sufficient investment, the growth of Indian industries was acutely constrained.
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
Fill in the blanks
(a) First Five Year Plan of ________________ commenced in the year 1956. (Pakistan/China)
(b) Maternal mortality rate is high in _____________. (China/Pakistan)
(c) Proportion of people below poverty line is more in __________. (India/Pakistan)
(d) Reforms in ______________ were introduced in 1978. (China/Pakistan)
What similar developmental strategies have India and Pakistan followed for their respective developmental paths?
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
How has women’s health become a matter of great concern?
Give reasons for the slow growth and re-emergence of poverty in Pakistan.
What are the various means by which countries are trying to strengthen their own domestic economies?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
What are the various non-commercial sources of energy?
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
Is there any relationship between unemployment and poverty? Explain.