What were the reasons for the implimentation of nep of 1991?
Answers
The year 1991 is an important landmark in the economic history of post-Independence India. The country went through a severe economic crisis triggered by a adverse Balance of Payment , lower GDP growth and higher inflation rate. The crisis was converted into an opportunity to introduce some fundamental changes in the economic policy of the country.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is considered to be the father of New Economic Policy (NEP) of India. Manmohan Singh introduced the NEP on July 24,1991.
Main Objectives of New Economic Policy – 1991, July 24
The main objectives behind the launching of the New Economic policy (NEP) in 1991 by the union Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh are stated as follows:
1. The main objective was to plunge Indian economy in to the arena of ‘Globalization and to give it a new thrust on market orientation.
2. The NEP intended to bring down the rate of inflation
3. It intended to move towards higher economic growth rate and to build sufficient foreign exchange reserves.
4. It wanted to achieve economic stabilization and to convert the economy into a market economy by removing all kinds of un-necessary restrictions.
5. It wanted to permit the international flow of goods, services, capital, human resources and technology, without many restrictions.
6. It wanted to increase the participation of private players in the all sectors of the economy. That is why the reserved numbers of sectors for government were reduced. As of now this number is just 2.
Beginning with mid-1991, the govt. has made some radical changes in its policies related to foreign trade, Foreign Direct Investment, exchange rate, industry, fiscal discipline etc. The various elements, when put together, constitute an economic policy which marks a big departure from what has gone before.
The thrust of the New Economic Policy has been towards creating a more competitive environment in the economy as a means to improving the productivity and efficiency of the system. This was to be achieved by removing the barriers to entry and the restrictions on the growth of firms.
List of all Five Year Plans of India
Main Measures Adopted in the New Economic Policy
Due to various controls, the economy became defective. The entrepreneurs were unwilling to establish new industries ( because laws like MRTP Act 1969 de-motivated entrepreneurs). Corruption, undue delays and inefficiency risen due to these controls. Rate of economic growth of the economy came down. So in such a scenario economic reforms were introduced to reduce the restrictions imposed on the economy.