Concept:Post-independence, India adopted a planned economy where the public sector drove industrialization to achieve social justice, reduce regional imbalances, and control strategic industries.
Explanation:The public sector was given a dominant role to fulfill social goals like reducing income inequality and providing essential goods at affordable prices.
It promoted balanced regional development by setting up industries in backward areas, creating jobs and boosting local economies.
Strategic sectors like defense, energy, and infrastructure were kept under state control to ensure national security and self-reliance.
The private sector lacked capital, technology, and capacity, so the government stepped in to build heavy industries and infrastructure.
This approach was guided by the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 and the Mahalanobis model, which emphasized public investment in heavy industries.
Answer:The public sector was seen as a tool for achieving social goals, promoting balanced regional development, and controlling strategic industries. (Option D)