Assessment:
The plan was able to achieve most of its targets. The average annual growth rate was around 5%. Food production increased to 151.5 MT. The growth in individual sectors was also satisfactory. Some of the segments of the economy achieved self-reliance.
The plan paid special attention to the removal of poverty through rural development programmes like Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) and Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP). According to the Planning Commission, at the end of the plan 37% of population was below poverty line.