Consider the following statements about the Second Five-Year Plan : 1. It was drafted under the leadership of K. N. Raj. 2. It proposed that industries like electricity, railways, steel, machineries and communication could be developed in the public sector. 3. The drafters found balancing industry and agriculture very difficult. 4. The drafters found balancing industry and agriculture really easy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961), also known as the Mahalanobis Plan, was drafted under the leadership of P.C. Mahalanobis, not K.N. Raj [1]. Statement 1 is therefore incorrect. The plan emphasized rapid industrialization and the development of heavy and basic industries within the public sector, including steel plants at Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela, as well as hydroelectric power and railways [2]. This aligns with Statement 2. Regarding the balance between sectors, the drafters faced significant challenges; while the plan initially accorded lower priority to agriculture in favor of industry, the actual implementation revealed that balancing these sectors was extremely difficult due to resource constraints and the need for food security. Consequently, Statement 3 is correct and Statement 4 is incorrect. Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are accurate.

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 6: Indian Economy [1947 – 2014] > 2nd Five Year Plan (1956 - 61) > p. 207
2. [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > 9.4 Five Year Plans > p. 125