Q.Evaluate the performance and achievements of Manipur under the Five Year Plans.

The plan decades brought Manipur real gains, but the results also fell short of the targets set. A balanced evaluation notes both sides.

A fair evaluation of Manipur's performance under the Five Year Plans must weigh real achievements against the shortfalls.

Achievements. Over the plan decades Manipur recorded visible progress:

• A substantial expansion of the road network and improved connectivity between valley and hills and with the rest of India.
• Wider rural electrification.
• Growth in irrigated area and foodgrain (rice) production.
• Large increases in school and health-care coverage and in literacy.
• Continued support to the handloom and handicraft sector, sustaining thousands of weavers.
• Growth of the services sector into the largest part of the economy.

Shortfalls. At the same time:

• Achievement often fell short of targets, and growth was uneven across sectors and regions.
• Industrialisation remained weak, so employment outside farming, government and crafts stayed limited.
• Dependence on central transfers stayed high because own-revenue remained small.
• The gap between valley and hill areas persisted. …