Approach Paper for the Twelfth Five Year Plan - of Planning ...

14 Approach to the Twelfth Five Year Plan
the Twelfth Plan. As pointed out in Chapter 2, this is a feasible target from a macro-economic perspective
but it cannot be viewed as an assured outcome. Global economic conditions are very uncertain and energy
prices are likely to remain high. To achieve rapid growth, the economy will have to overcome constraints
posed by limited energy supplies, increase in water scarcity, shortages in infrastructure, problems of land
acquisition for industrial development and infrastructure, and the complex problem of managing the
urban transition associated with rapid growth. Greater efforts also need to be made in agriculture, health
and education to ensure inclusion of the most excluded and sometimes invisible parts of our population.
1.56 These difficulties suggest that a 9.0 per cent growth target for the next five years is ambitious. But
it is not impossible, if we have the political will to do what is necessary. Economic reforms over the last
twenty years have resulted in the citizens of India having high expectations. The Twelfth Plan has to meet
the aspirations of millions of young men and women. This cannot be done by following a business-asusual
approach. All sections of society – government, farmers, businesses, labour and concerned citizens
– have to adopt newer, more effective ways of pursuing their activities, so that we can collectively achieve
our lofty goals.