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Economic Development
The era of planning started in Himachal in 1948 along with the rest of
India. The first five year plan allocated Rs.5.27 crore to Himachal.
More
than 50% of this expenditure was incurred on road construction since it
was felt that without proper transport facilities, the process of planning
and development could not be carried to the people, who mostly lived an
isolated existence in far away areas. Efforts were also made to involve
people more in the process of economic and social advancement.
The community development
programme launched in 1952, in certain selected
areas of Himachal was later extended to the entire rural area. New ideas and
forming techniques suitable to different areas and climatic zones were
introduced bringing a new awareness amongst the people about the production
possibilities of there respective lands which for centuries were using the
ancient time worn methods. In Mandi and Kangra districts package programmes were
undertaken in collaboration with the West German government for popularising
modern techniques of cultivation among the farmers. Suitable agricultural
machinery and good breeds of cattle, sheep and poultry were introduced in these
areas. Well equipped soil testing laboratories, dairy farms and agricultural
workshops were established at various centres, besides an Agriculture University
at Palampur.
Himachal is one of the classic
examples of rapid transformation from the worst form of feudalism to democracy
and from the most backward part of the country to one of its most advanced
states. Himachal, now ranks fourth in respect of per capita income among the
states of the Indian Union.
Himachal has an impressive record to look back upon and
there are wide opening vistas ahead. Its education system is well established,
its agriculture reaching near self-sufficiency, its horticulture making a name
in the country and even abroad, its road system having emerged as the best in
the hills, the infrastructure for its industrial development well laid out, its
rich forests being augmented and above all, the increasing attention of the nation
towards exploiting its hydel resources are the guarantees for its bright
future. It has already become the ideal in respect of development for the
hill areas of the country.
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