The Seventh Plan (1985-90) emphasized policies and programmes which aimed at rapid growth in foodgrains production, increase in employment opportunities and productivity.
The food grains production during the Plan grew by 3.23 per cent due to favourable weather conditions, implementation of various thrust programmes and concerted efforts of the Government and the farmers. To reduce unemployment and consequently, the incidence of poverty, special programmes like Jawahar Rozgar Yojna were initiated in addition to the already existing programmes.
The total expenditure of the Plan stood at Rs. 2, 18,729.62 crore as against the envisaged total public sector outlay of Rs. 1, 80,000 crore. During this Plan period, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an average rate of 5.6 per cent exceeding the targeted growth rate by 0.6 per cent.