The kind invitation extended to all political parties,
for participation in the Planning Committee, is a welcome
gesture from the ruling party. The spirit behind the
invitation is to be appreciated and no party would fail
to reciprocate the feeling.
Planning has assumed an overwhelming importance in the
present political set up, and as the dimension grows
more and more, hopes are naturally raised higher. Hence
there is every need for a careful and continuous appraisal.
Rigidity is to be avoided as far as possible, and the
plan frame should be of such a nature that alterations,
additions and reshaping should be made possible, at
all stages.
Even at the outset, I wish to state on behalf of the
D.M.K., that if by cooperating with ruling party in
this sphere, is meant active and sympathetic participation
in the formulation and implementation of the plan, my
party offers its willing cooperation.
But it should be remembered that there are certain basic
and fundamental differences, in the political ideologies
of different parties and all that we, as distinct political
parties could do, is to express our suggestions within
the frame-work which is the creation of the ruling party.
To cite but an instance the whole economic set up ushered
in by the ruling party, is what is termed as Mixed Economy,
and the politico-economic philosophy that forms the
bed-rock for the plan, is what is called as ‘socialistic
pattern’. The D.M.K., would like to have more definite
and less ambiguous set up and philosophy.
The scope of this Committee does not extend to the sphere
of discussion and re-shaping of such theories, political,
economic and social.
What all we can do is, to offer a helping hand, to make
the machinery move smoothly, yielding maximum result.
But the Machinery is entirely built up by the ruling
party.
So the remarks to be made or suggestions to be offered,
by the D.M.K., or other political parties, are by their
very nature, handicapped by the lack of a spirit that
the ruling party has got, for such principles as Mixed
Economy the only common ground is perhaps, the realisation
of the necessity for planning the future and prosperity
of the masses in an organized way.
Another point not to be forgotten is this, anyone attempting
to formulate a plan is aware of and depressed by the
fact, that State Plans lack the ‘life-force’ – and what
little it gets, is supplied by and through the Planning
Commission constituted by the Central Government.
True, some amount of initiative is vested with the State,
but schemes of big dimensions, are thought of as the
preserves of the Centre, and due to a variety of reasons,
States find it convenient to invoke the aid of the Centre,
for taking over such schemes.
Hence, the ‘State Plan’ becomes a sort of enlarged administrative
blueprint, important in its own way.
The ruling party having had a hand in two previous plans,
is naturally confident, in its ability to deal with
a Third Plan. And the ‘achievements’ are presented with
an understandable enthusiasm.
Balanced Regional Development Essential
But, other political parties, cannot and would not forget
the fact that the two plans have not yielded, the expected
results – and it is necessary to urge the ruling party
also to take this fact into consideration, for, only
when we are aware of the shortcomings, could we better
our efforts.
A sizable increase in national income so as to raise
the level of living in the country is stated to be the
first and foremost objective of the Second Plan, now
nearing completion.
None could dispute the necessity for that objective,
but when we begin planning afresh, we should be sure
of the actual performance, already achieved. Have we
raised the level of living?
It is true that the National Income and also the per
capita income has shown an upward march, but when the
cost of living has gone up steeply, the advantage accruing
from the increase in per capita income, is almost nullified.
Bearing this in mind, it should be our endeavour to
formulate and handle the Third Plan, is such a way as
to keep the price-line under control and regulate the
cost of living correspondingly.
Inflation, deficit financing are pointed put by expert
economists as danger spots. The Foreign Exchange problem
brizzles with difficulties.
But it is beyond our province to control or correct
these aspects as it is the prerogative of the Centre;
what all perhaps we are asked to do, is to share the
strain and shock as and when they arise.
Hence, the State plan is formulated on a foundation,
the strength or otherwise of which, is left in the hands
of the Central Government.
Rapid industrialization with particular emphasis on
basic and heavy industries are of utmost importance,
as they are the ‘feeders’ for a variety of industries,
and economic activities. They do not absorb much man-power,
but need huge amounts of capital.
During both the plans, ample attention has been paid
to this and what has been termed as ‘gigantism’ by Prime
Minister Nehru, has been built up, in a particular region,
to the detriment of other regions.
Under the item ‘Major industries’, our State has got
a provision of 76 lakhs, during the Second Plan.
Of course, we take refuge and seek consolation in the
fact that there is the Neiveli project sponsored by
the Centre at a cost of more than fifty crores.
But the potentialities for basic and heavy industries
remains to this day, untapped, in spite of repeated
pleadings from all political parties.
So, the D.M.K. would request the planners, to make amends,
by paying sympathetic and active attention towards building
up basic and heavy industries in this State, by allotting
increased amounts.
It is now being realized that the disparity in the industeial
growth in different regions, has caused a bitterness,
in the minds of the masses. Even party considerations
are set aside, when demands are put forward for correcting
the unbalance.
Inflation and Deficit Finance -
The danger spots
So this State should with a stout heart and determined
effort, put forth a strong plea, before the Centre.
The need for a proper dispersal of industry in an attempt
to ensure a more balanced regional development of the
country should be realized and acted upon.
Lack of coal has been cited as the reason for the non-industrialization
of this State. The argument has neither strength nor
flavour.
In this connection the D.M.K. wants to point out that
Planning in a bold and imaginative way does not consist
in merely seeking the bounties of nature but in overcoming
and coaxing nature to yield, richer and better results.
Countries that lack rich natural resources have been
industrialized in an amazing way – Japan is an illustration.
Pointing out certain disabilities as reason for inaction
is not excusable at a time when there is an attempt
at all round reconstruction.
Prof. K.T. Shah has pointed out,
“From the national standpoint, the fullest development
of all available resources of every able resources of
every unit must be sine qua non of real effective planning.
“The National Planning Authority must accordingly scientifically
distribute industries and systematically organize all
the different productive resources in every component
unit of the country. No tangible resources of any unit
must remain undeveloped.
“By this, in each convenient unit adequate employment
will also be found for local labour. The working population
in each unit has a primary claim for employment in the
development of local resources.
“By carefully planning the effective organisation and
intensive exploitation of local resources, local requirements
and local opportunities, the Planning authorities will
be able to clearly ascertain which province or State
or regional unit should be considered to be ‘deficit’
unit and which ‘surplus’ ones.
“After such ascertainment, ways and means must be devised
to make good the deficit from the common fund; or to
bring about the most profitable disposal of the surplus,
for the common good in each case”.
If this advice is applied, this State which has been
kept as a ‘deficit’ State industrially, is entitled
to get more amount from the common fund, than what the
industrially advanced States get.
Hence, the steel and Aluminium industry in Salem should
be started in the public sector.
There are ample possibilities for starting other and
allied industries.
For instance, we should pay our deepest consideration
to the fact whether we should not attempt at utilizing
the immense amount of Managese instead of exporting
the whole lot.
There is an apprehension in the minds of many, that
the contemplated steel plant at Salem would be of a
diminutive size – a sort of token or caricature of full-fledged
steel plants as are located at other regions. This apprehension
should be dispelled and the State should plan in a big
way, keeping in view that Steel should be produced in
such an amount that would feed other industries.
Railway goods wagons could be manufactured here, utilizing
Salem Steel.
Possibilities of oil, are held forth, and it is stated
that there has been a survey of the Cauvery Basin.
Though, schemes such as this, take time, a beginning
in right earnest should be made, and a good amount should
be utilized for a thorough and systematic geological
survey of this State.
Road Transport is fast increasing and ‘body-building
Units’ could be organized at least in half-a-dozen centers
in the State.
Industries founded on the bye-products of the cattle
life of the country i.e. meat, hides and skins, leather
goods, articles made out of hair, wool, bones, teeth,
tissues, guts or hoover of animals – must be organized
on a large scale, motivated by power driven machinery
and conducted as public enterprises.
Watch-making, precision and scientific instruments,
sports goods, sewing machines, electric goods and such
other small-scale industries ought to be planned out.
A study team should be sent to Switzerland and Japan,
by this State, to get the ‘know-how’ of these small-scale
industries.
Industrial Potentialities of the State analysed Possibilities
of utilizing the bye-products from cashew plantations
for plastic industry, should be looked into and built
up.
Drug production centres should be organized at centres,
where there are possibilities for getting medicinal
herbs.
In the draft proposal for the Second Plan, the urgent
need for starting a Paper Mill is stressed. But the
scheme has borne no fruit. There are possibilities for
starting paper Mills at the Nilgries and also at Tanjore,
utilizing wattle and bamboo in the former and the bye-product
from the sugar mills at the later.
Gypsum to be found in very large quantity notably in
Tanjore could be utilized properly and profitably, and
a plant for the production of Sulphuric Acid should
be built up.
The possibility of producing an appreciable amount of
power alchohal from molasses in sugar factories, should
be looked into.
In this connection two factors arise and usually they
are pointed out as impediments – one being the difficulty
in importing machinery and another being the lack of
technical skill commensurate with the need.
But if we are unable to solve this difficulty quickly
this State is bound to lag behind other States, already
well advanced in the industrial sphere. So the State
Government should not rest content with registering
the replies received from the Centre but should urge
it to liberalize its import cut policy as far as the
need of this State is concerned. We should not fight
shy of untilising the services of foreign technical
experts, especially from Japan and industrially advanced
European States.
To wait for the long and laborious process of building
up a battalion of our own technicians – however laudable
it is – will be a sore of blasting the hopes and prospects
of rapidly industrializing our State.
The various friendly countries should be approached
by those in the Ambassadorial and Consular services
for this purpose.
Our Handloom Industry absorbs a good portion of the
man-power in this State and yet it is allowed to languish.
Doles, aids, rebates and the like are but gestures.
What is needed is to make this industry stable. Handloom
clothes should be assured of a dependable strong and
expanding market. Our export is not up to the mark.
We depend upon freaks and the industry is being damaged
by the jolts and shocks that arise from time to time.
The prospects of an American Market for the Handloom,
it is stated, are bright and since the demand from that
country is bound to be of a mass scale, it is but natural
that, only when the industry is organized on a state
level could there be a bright future.
Though production can be entrusted to individual weavers
or societies, the export side of it should become the
main concern of the State.
Handloom clothes should be purchased in bulk by the
Government and exported.
Export should not be left to the whims and fancies of
private dealers.
To keep many lakhs of people employed, in a useful vocation,
the State should become the custodian of the interests
of the Handloom weavers.
Organizing Cooperative Societies, building colonies,
and such other works, offer but the philanthropic aspect.
What is needed is, the Handloom Industry should be made
stable and profitable. This could be best achieved only
when the export side become the concern of the State.
The prospects for building up export of salt, table-salt
and other varieties are bright. Besides Tuticorin, the
possibilities at Vedaranyam, Chunambedu and such other
places are stated to be rich. This industry absorbs
also much man-power and the State could bring large
farms under the public sector.
Various kinds of oils, vegetable and herbal, should
be produced and where already started, production should
be increased with a view to capture foreign markets.
Even the Beedi Industry, now in private hands, could
be brought in the public sector.
Hopes for starting a Raw film factory at Ootacamund
are held before the people, but the achievement is yet
to be seen.
The film industry is assuming an importance which cannot
be overlooked.
Entertainment is big business, besides being cultural
and artistic.
Crores of rupees are locked up in this field and tens
of thousands of people are employed.
Slowly but steadily the film industry is finding foreign
markets and it should be the duty of the State to use
its good offices to get the market expanded. The State
should also appoint observers in countries well advanced
in the film industry, to gather and impart technical
knowledge and devices.
The State should step in, to take an increasing share
in the profits that this industry yields, by nationalizing
the cinema house, or even by running studios. Ceylon
Government has organized a studio.
Besides raw film, there are many instruments used in
the industry, and the State should begin producing them,
here, saving many crores of rupees now being spent in
foreign markets.
The quality of the films could be considerably raised,
if, besides advising on standard and morality, the State
takes up the job of getting the latest machinery for
this industry.
Our artists, if not handicapped by the lack of such
latest, highly scientific machinery, would and could
successfully compete with artistes of any foreign country,
and we could building up a World Market for our pictures.
Madras occupies a high position in respect of leather
industry, but if there is an organized effort, much
of the hides now exported could be utilized here, resulting
in higher incomes, and much man-power could be a absorbed
in this.
Export of wool is another item that needs special attention.
Now left in the hands of people who know only antiquated
methods, the wood industry is poor and clumsy. Expert
advice, it is stated, is being imparted to them. But
there is no perceptible change. Since this is an exportable
item, more and intimate attention should be paid.
These and other similar industries are no doubt being
offered assistance by the State, but if we want increased
and rich results, the measures ought to be full, effort
whole-hearted and the funds made available are not to
be in the nature of mere tokens. We should plan it in
such a way as to make it yield rich revenue, in five
or ten years.
We should aim at something of everything and everything
for something.
An expert Committee should go into the whole question
and find out, how best to find out some one industry,
that could become the speciality of this State and having
selected such an industry, the State should place adequate
funds and its disposal.
What seems to be the order of the day is to tackle all
the problems – but only up to the fringe.
Small countries elsewhere, have built up industrials,
for which they are peculiarly suited, besides the ordinary
and routine list. And because of that, those countries
find prosperity. The Watch industry of Switzerland,
the Diary products of Denmark, are but well-known examples,
of small but sturdy nations capturing the world market
by the giants of their industry.
Plantation products, coffee, tea, rubber, spices – earn
foreign exchange. But they are in private hands and
the State seems to think that they are good tax-yielding
concerns alone.
Since these products have got export prospects, the
States should progressively, eliminate the private element,
and through a phased programme bring them under the
agencies of the State.
But the party responsible for the initiation and execution
of the plan, has got an abiding faith in the efficacy
of and necessity for the private sector, this view is
not shared by other political parties.
The need for rapidly industrializing the State arises
because of the fact, that today much dependance is placed
on Agriculture. No country could advance – in the modern
sense of the term – unless the dependance on Agriculture
is progressively minimized and the industrial plane
is expanded.
But, for a long time to come, the economic system is
bound to revolve on the Agriculture axis.
And Agriculture itself has been raised to the level
of an industry in advanced countries while for all practical
purposes, here it remains a traditional occupation.
Much thought has been spent over the sector, but since
conflicting and contradictory thoughts are generated
the pace of progress has become hectic.
The two plans aimed at making the country self – sufficient
in food. Much money has been spent, many schemes were
launched, but after ten years, the food front is beset
with the same old difficulties and dangers.
This State has taken earnest attempts to increase food
production and has announced a success. But as regards
the fundamentals connected with Agriculture, the State
has not taken consistent and bold steps.
The most elementary reform – ceiling on land – has been
on the anvils of the political forum all these years.
Experts and moralists alike have pointed out that is
the barest minimum of economic justice. And yet, legislation
for ceiling on land has not become an accomplished fact.
There are strong indications to show that, that piece
of legislation by such inordinate delay, has become
a mere caricature of the original proposal.
Hopes of finding a revolutionary change has been blasted.
Minimise the Dependence on Agriculture
Though its strength and splendour has been shorn of
the legislation even its present form becomes necessary
for formulating a plan for the reorganization of the
Agricultural sector.
‘Land to the Tiller’ is now being relegated to the background
and instead of being hailed as a rational method of
distribution, stress is being laid on production.
Production depends upon fertility and effort; and effort
itself is bound to yield different results as methods
differ.
Mechanized agriculture, though spoken of as the best
means of increased production, will not find favour
here, where there is plentiful supply of farmers and
unskilled labours. But those engaged in Agriculture
are being kept on the subsistence level, for decades.
“It has been estimated that in this State, most of the
agricultural labourers are without work in 115 days
in a year, and that the average income of an agricultural
family is among the lowest in India”.
So the problem has got two aspects.
Production should be increased and the income of the
agriculturists should also be raised.
And this should be done without hitting the consumer.
The problem is complicated but complacency is unwarranted
and confused thinking is worse still.
The various pronouncements made from time to time by
the V.I.P.s go to show, what a amount of confusion exists.
The beginning of the Third Plan should be preceded by
the ceiling on land.
That would generate a feeling of at least mild enthusiasm
in the minds of millions.
The problem of correlating the prices of different commodities,
so as to keep the cost of living with the reach of the
average man, should be the concern of not only the ruling
party, of politicians, but that of economists, farmers
and representatives of consumers.
Production has increased and along with it paradoxically
enough, prices of food stuffs have also increased.
This phenomenon is not only strange but dangerous.
How far the policy of the Central Government is responsible
for this sorry state of affairs, needs to be found out.
The State should assert its right to manage the food
front, having for its guidance the real state of affairs
here.
The state should be free to choose methods for combating
the rise in price, without waiting for guidance or control
from the Centre.
The Centre should as the Supreme Council vested with
vast resources and powers, step in, only on application,
and that too to the limited sphere of procuring food
stuffs when asked for.
There should thus be maximum autonomy at any rate on
the food front.
Production since it depends on fertility, factors that
go to make up fertility should be carefully watched
and regulated.
Irrigation, fertilizers, seeds and the like are the
necessities – but even in all these things the State
is not empowered to act, or is handicapped.
Major irrigation works, though executed by the State,
needs Central sanction and succour, even during the
initial stage.
It is in the field of minor irrigation that an amount
of free action is being shown by the State.
Since our dependence on the large number of tanks is
much, the amount spent on repairing and depending of
these tanks needs to be increased and there is every
need for speeding up the work.
The time taken for sanctioning, estimate, and final
execution is in the nature of taxing the patience of
the villagers. The State should quicken the pace and
tempo.
Out of about of 23,000 tanks in the State, about 4,000
tanks have been attended to.
Much therefore remains to be done, and the work in this
line should be taken up not in the routine way, but
one on emergency basis.
Not only tanks, but also supply channels need immediate
attention.
The services of the army personnel should be invoked
for this work, the special machinery like dredgers should
be pressed into service.
But however much we could achieve through minor irrigation,
we cannot escape the fact that unless the inter-state
schemes, like the Krishna Godavari, Krishna-Pennar and
the tapping of the rivers in Kerala, are carried out,
we might be left in the lurch.
A special Expert Committee, consisting of technically
qualified men, should be constituted for the special
purpose of planning out these schemes.
Attempting to leave the matter to the already over-worked
administrative machinery, would only result in delay,
that cannot be brooked.
The best course that seems to be, that these inter-state
schemes should be placed before the Zonal Council and
if it is feasible, a composite committee should be constituted.
This should be given top priority in the Third Plan.
The Chiefs of the neighbouring States having already
expressed their willingness to help, there should be
no delay in planning out the scheme.
The State should stress this point and see to it that
amounts are set apart for this.
When we find countries attempting to import fertility
in even sandy and desert regions with scientific help,we
should not think it beyond our capacity to divert the
copious flow of water, now running into waste as is
the case with the rivers Godavairi and Krishna.
Implement Sethusamudram Scheme-Develop Tuticorin into
a Major port
These schemes are to be considered on par with the gigantic
dam works, already undertaken, elsewhere.
Along with this, the long-felt and much stressed water
ways scheme should be implemented.
The technical and administrative difficulties, natural
in such undertakings, should not deter us from launching
forth such schemes, as we have already exhausted all
possible sources.
Just as in Irrigation, so in power, we are faced with
a stark reality – we have reached the end of our sources.
The achievement it is stated is admirable but the need
for power is increasing and is bound to increase as
the tempo of industrialization grows.
So unless we are assured of an Atomic Power Plant we
may be left in the corner.
Of course the State authorities have been pressing the
Centre, and seem to be hopeful.
But we should see to it that the Centre not only assures,
but begins in right earnest, even during the first stage
in the Third Plan.
The necessity for expanding our Transport facilities
has become acute.
Inland waterways assume hence an importance.
And to ensure the steady and quick movement of goods,
railway facilities should be increased. It is now meagre,
and the planners do not seem to have bestowed much thought
about this region, when they think in terms of opening
new lines.
As we envisage a brisk activity from and through the
lignite works at Neiveli, there is the need for, double
tracking the railway line, and electrification.
And as the Sethusamudram Scheme and development of Tuticorin
port, have to be implemented, the entire route, from
Madras to Tuticorin has got to be buzzing with activity
and hence double tracking upto Tuticorin should be planned
out and included in the Third Plan.
The demand for implementing the Sethu Samudram Scheme
and the scheme for development of Tuticorin as a major
port, has had a long history behind it, and it is imperative
that no further delay is allowed.
Find out the Feasibility of coastal Shipping Trade
These schemes should become accomplished facts, work
should be begun, even during the first years of the
Third Plan.
The development of the Minor ports should be given due
attention to. Cuddalore, Pondy, Point. Calimere and
other ports need attention.
The State should find out the feasibility of organizing
coastal shipping trade.
The vast coast-line that this State has to its credit,
is not being taken advantage of.
Fishing ought to have been developed into a major industry.
The State authorities exhibit the picture of their attempts
and the most that could be said about it is that we
have done some work, more in the nature of humanitarian
service.
When we find that many countries are getting rich revenue
by organizing fishing as a major industry, one is constrained
to state that we have missed a lot by not organizing
this industry.
It can never develop into a revenue-yielding industry
if it is allowed to be handled by the poor, ill-organised
folks now carrying on fishing as their vocation.
They should be recruited by the State, and it should
be the concern of the State to set apart an amount commensurate
with the magnitude of the industry. It should be considered
from the point of view of not merely of lending a helping
hand to the poor folks now in tht vocation, but as an
attempt to build up a new and expanding industry.
Deep sea fishing should be developed along scientific
lines. Experts tell us that from this source alone,
this State could get rich earnings.
There are possibilities also for organizing associate
and subsidiary industry – when once fishing as a major
industry is built up. The sea is as rich as the land,
if not richer.
To make the land richer there is need for infusing new
enthusiasm in the minds of those engaged in this, and
also in imparting fertility through fertilizers. Soil
conservation should be systematized and schemes for
the same expanded.
Members in the Legislature who belong to the ruling
party have pointed out times with out number, that schemes
for land reclamation and bringing into life culturable
waste land should be implemented. It properly tackled,
the increased in food production would many assure,
be such as to enable us to export food stuffed.
The shortage in the supply of fertilizer, is regretted
and the State assures the people that the fertilizer
plant at Neiveli would augment the supply.
Besides Neiveli, other place for starting fertilizer
plants – plant of medium size – should be explored.
Methods for economizing the use of water for the field
should be studied and the people should be educated.
Organise
Land Army for Road-Building and Land Reclamation
The problem of evaporation is now and then talked of,
but there seems to be no systematic attempt at checking
this evil.
But control has become a sort of departmental exercise.
Problems such as these and other problems like village
reconstruction, cottage industry and social uplift have
become the preserves of the Block Development Department
and the results are not proportionate to the amounts
spent. That this department savours on party politics
cannot be denied.
It ought to be the endeavour of the planning body, to
find out means for mobilizing public support and enthusiasm
for this project, which is day by day assuming big and
bigger dimensions.
The question as to the desirability and effectiveness
in organizing a Land Army charged with the task of road-building,
reclamation, bringing wasteland under cultivation and
other connected work should be examined.
Of course, it is not to be in the nature of conscription
nor should it be left to what is called as free and
voluntary effort. The State should organize camps and
centres, or even mobile units, for this purpose, and
should bear the cost.
This would not only decrease the growing unemployment
problem but would be hailed as a systematic attempt
at changing the face of the land and hastening the pace
of the progress.
One fact needs to be explained here and now the suggestions
offered are not supported by data, not because, we think
that no data is necessary but simply because, data are
best obtained by those in power and not by others.
And even those in possession of data should utilize
them not for the gleeful purpose of phoo-phooing suggestions
offered in good faith, but with a view to launch forth
schemes, even though there might be certain initial
difficulties.
For this, if some sort of consultative committees are
constituted –for the purpose of examining specific proposals,
wherein administrators and experts could sit and discuss,
much could be achieved.
The archives and pigeon holes of the Government department
are not, and cannot be thrown open to all parties –
but that does not near that parties should be handicapped
for want of datas.
Consultative Committee should be constituted and there
should be periodical meetings for discussion and comparing
notes.
Two other major factors ought not to be forgotten. There
should be the much dependence upon these factors.
Production in any field of activity, would be viewed
with enthusiasm, only within the public feel confident,
that the ‘total good’ is the aim.
The unbridled play of the profit-motive acts as a deterent
and certainly damps the enthusiasm of the labouring
class and the general public.
So a sort of profit-sharing scheme should be chalked
out and worked out, at least in certain select fields.
Justifiable and equitable distribution accelerates production.
The sponsors of the plan, expressed their intention
of reducing the inequalities in wealth, power and income,
but so far there has been no solid success.
Another factor of equal importance, is this: By what
method are we going to find the resources for the huge
plan? Already the burden of taxation especially the
indirect form, has hit hard the people, and any further
attempt to raise the level or the items of taxation
would not be conducive.
Hence methods for harnessing the money-power locked
up with the higher strata of society, should be formulated.
Only when there is the realization on the part of the
masses, that this is the people’s plan, could mass enthusiasm
be generated and their realization could never be achieved
by sermons and seminars. The people should feel the
touch of progress in a hundred small ways around them,
in their fields, their abodes, and in departments.
Implement the Master plan for Madras City
Enough attention should be paid to the special problem
of the Metropolitan City of Madras and the ‘Master Plan’
prepared by cities should be analysed and implemented.
Slum Clearance Schemes should be taken up, during the
Third Plan keeping the aim of solving it, once and for
all.
Generation of mass enthusiasm is of prime importance,
for, it should not be forgotten that the base for any
scheme is the individual.
Besides adopting conventional methods, bold and new
methods ought to be adopted.
For instance, we should not allow the abundance of solar
energy to be wasted.
Those who have studied this problem point out various
uses which solar energy could be harnessed.
Solar cooker alone has been the accomplishment so far.
The possibility does not end there.
An expert committee should study this problem and formulate
schemes for utilizing solar energy.
Schemes for increasing the irrigation facilities, by
construction of small dams, reservoirs and the like,
do not receive due attention.
Almost in every district, there is the possibility of
such schemes. They may not be spectacular but they are
certainly helpful involving the problem of irrigation.
The Palar Scheme pending with Government for a long
number of years, should be taken up and executed in
the Third Plan.
Tapping of sub-soil water, utilizing drilling machinery,
tube wells, artisan wells and the like, are to be more
extensively taken up.
To cite but a few cases, the Cheyyar Scheme in the North
Arcot District, the Vegavathi Scheme in the Chinglepet
District, Alangulam Scheme in the Thirunelveli District,
a tunnel near Rajapalayam with a view to divert the
water flowing westward for more useful purpose, Kudaganar
Scheme, Keeriya Scheme, are being spoken of for a long
number of years.
The Third Plan should devise ways and means for tapping
and conserving such sources, with a view to augment
the irrigation facilities.
But, whatever might be the attempts and achievements
at the State level, unless the Centre is liberal and
responsive, big but essential schemes like basic and
heavy industries, development of ports, coastal trading,
atomic plant and the like could not be realized.
So it should be the duty of the State Government, to
argue the case for fair and equitable treatment for
this State, which has been neglected and accorded a
step motherly treatment and take up on itself the responsibility
of getting these basic needs accomplished.
It will not be out of place to point out in this connection
that unless those in power are zealously keen on making
this State prosperous, they cannot make their voice
felt. Pleading before the Centre in a faltering voice
will not help us. Demands ought to be pressed forward.
Mendicancy never succeeds.
Taking into view the basic industries, major ports and
atomic plant into consideration, the amount to be set
apart ought to be of good size.
The amount needed for accomplishing items that come
under the State sector too will not be small.
So the amount asked for, as we understand it from reports,
is meagre.
I would like to request the State Government to formulate
plans and schemes, on both the Central and State levels,
keeping view that at least a thousand crores should
be the amount to be spent to both these sectors during
the Third Plan.
Considering the previous neglect and the consequent
industrial backwardness, the amount thought of, is not
over-ambitious or unjustifiable.
The Planning body itself cannot decide issues at two
or three sittings.
There is so much necessity for a series of sittings
– consultative conferences and the like, wherein, expert
opinion should be asked for, discussed and new drafts
made.
I conclude with the hope that, that is the aim of the
party in power.
Planning is a continuous proceess, and consultation
and mutual understanding as between the different parties
add strength and spirit.
It may not be possible for any one party to present
an all-inclusive plan.
Besides asking for suggestions, all those interested
could be brought together from time to time, reassess,
evaluate and offer if necessary comments on the way
in which schemes are implemented. For, the drafting
of a plan is in the nature of a birth – it is but the
beginning – much depends upon the hand that rocks the
cradle and nurtures the new-born.
(10-01-1960)