Acharya S.N. Agarwala brought out the ‘Gandhian Plan’ in 1944 and re-affirmed it in 1948. These publications form the basis of Gandhian planning or ‘Gandhi – a model of growth. The basic goal of the Gandhian model is to advance the material as well as the cultural level of the Indian masses so as to deliver a basic standard of life. It intends primarily at enhancing the economic conditions of the 5.5 lakh villages of India and thus, it lays the greatest emphasis on the scientific development of agriculture and quick growth of cottage and village industries.
Agriculture
It is noteworthy to know that the Gandhian model intends at the reform of agriculture as the most essential sector in economic planning in India. The primary goal of agricultural development is national self-sufficiency in foodstuffs and maximum regional self-sufficiency in food. This has to be attained not only by larger and better inputs but also by land reforms—change in the system of tenure, consolidation of holdings, organisation of co-operative farms, abolition of the proprietary rights on land, etc. Money-lending should be eradicated, and there should be increased credit facilities for the farmers.
Cottage and Village Industries
It is important to note that the plan focuses the rehabilitation, development and expansion of cottage industries side by side with agriculture. Spinning and weaving are given the first place. The production of khadi is essential and it is nearly on the same level as the production of rice and Gandhian plan outlines a scheme for making every village self-sufficient in cloth. Simultaneously, the Gandhian plan wants the State to take into consideration the revival and expansion of rural cottage industries as the primary plank of its industrial planning.
