Important Industrial Policies Prior to 1991

Important Industrial Policies Prior to 1991

India is the Asia’s third largest economy. The 70 years of Independence have brought a remarkable change in the socio – economic landscape of India.

Industrial Policy of India
1948, 1956, 1977, 1980, 1990 & 1991

Economic development of a country particularly depends on the process of industrialisation. At the time of Independence, India inherited a weak and shallow industrial base. Therefore during the post–Independence period, the Government of India took special emphasis on the development of a solid industrial base. The Industrial Policy Resolutions of 1948 and 1956 clearly stated the need for developing both small scale industries and large scale industries.

1. Industrial Policy Resolutions 1948

The Government of India recognized the significant contribution of industrialization. Therefore the Government of India declared its first Industrial Policy on 6th April 1948. The main importance of this policy was that it ushered in India the system of mixed economy.

1.        Industries were classified into four groupssuch as public sector (strategic industries), public–cum –private Sector (key industries), controlled private sector, private and co-operative sectors.

2.        This policy endeavoured to protect cottage and small scale industries.

3.        The central and state governments had a virtual monopoly in rail roads and exclusive rights to develop minerals, iron ore etc.

4.        The Government encouraged the significance of foreign capital for industrialization but the government decided that the control should remain with Indian hands.

2. Industrial Policy Resolution 1956

1.        The Industrial Policy of 1956 sought to give a dominant role to public sector. At the same time, it assured a fair treatment to the private sector.

2.        The Government would support and encourage cottage and small scale enterprises by restricting volume of production in the large scale sector by differential taxation or by direct subsidies.

3.        This industrial policy emphasized the necessity of reducing the regional disparities in levels of development.

4.        The Government recognized the need for foreign capital for progressive Indianisation of foreign concerns.