Planning in Mysore

Karnataka > Planning in Mysore

The economic conference between {1911 and 1931) initiated by Sir M.Visveswaraya in princely Mysore introduced through his book 'Planned Economy for India' has suggested schemes for the development of Industries and thus for the improvement of the State economy. 'Industrialise or Perish' was his slogan. Princely Mysore State was the first State in the country to formulate an economic plan which contained a number of schemes in 1946 at an estimated cost of Rs. 48.99 crores. Despite this, the State was largely pre-industrialised and under developed at the commencement of the era of planning. Free India later launched a programme aimed at the Welfare State and at the same time developing basic and key industries. Thus came many Central Government industries to Bangalore and attempts were made to expand irrigation potential by raising the Tungabhadra Dam and other irrigation projects. Even though the State was predominantly agricultural the minimum infrastructure for growth of industries had been created.

The economy of the princely State by 1950 was characterised by the following features:

1. Population was not relatively in proportion to the utilisation of resources
2. Agricultural sector which was not progressive due to low yield and poor credit and marketing facilities and prevalence of uneconomic holdings
3. Low level of Industrialisation
4. Low per capita income. low rate of capital formation and inadequate infrastructure.

In order to offset these drawbacks in the State Plans, major thrust was on the following facts;

1. Removal of poverty and attainment of self-reliance
2. Increasing the level of per capita income both in real and in money terms
3. Providing employment opportunities
4. Optimum utilisation of available resources
5. Development of Agriculture and Industry.
6. Holding the price line
7. Meeting the minimum requirements of the people through Minimum Needs Programme
8. Equitable distribution of wealth and income.