Plan targets China, Korea growth path

In the approach paper for the forthcoming Plan, which was given final touches late last night and sent to state chief ministers today for feedback, the growth objective is termed as ‘‘feasible’’ but needs ‘‘special efforts.’’

The thrust is ‘‘faster and more inclusive growth,’’ to ‘‘empower the poor by expanding access to health and education’’ and by providing special livelihood support schemes and programmes.

The approach paper was sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a couple of weeks ago and his feedback was incorporated.

To attain the ‘‘China-Korea growth trajectory’’, the focus would broadly be on agriculture, where a second Green Revolution is ‘‘urgently needed’’ to achieve sustained higher growth (4 per cent).

• And the manufacturing sector, where the focus would be on increasing competitiveness and removing input bottlenecks, especially unreliable power, that is currently a ‘‘drag on the pace of India’s development’’ and remains ‘‘elusive’’ vis-a-vis competitors such as China.

The paper sent to the CMs asks for a ‘‘decisive improvement’’ in quality of power supply.

• In the education sector, the paper mentions a special strategy that includes use of IT and open schools to tide over the infrastructure bottlenecks in the sector that would arise on account of the seat expansion plans for OBC reservation.

Recognising admissions to college or a university as a factor that ‘‘limits opportunities to a student’’ and faculty and available infrastructure bottlenecks as ‘‘restricting factors,’’ the amended approach paper says that these bottlenecks would not be “limiting factors” in an open university system.

‘‘In case of subjects that do not require laboratory work, pre-recorded selection of lectures, tutorials and standardised tests available at Internet kiosks which the student can access at will can be helpful,’’ says the paper. ‘‘Testing and examination centers where students can take standardised examinations in parts can reduce the pressure.’’

For these objectives, the paper says, ‘‘autonomous institutions charged with the responsibility of testing and examination will have to be developed.’’

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