Which of the following is NOT an objective of Economic planning?

Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked to find the option that is NOT an objective of economic planning. So four options are goals planners aim for, and one works against them.

Step 2: Explain the concept Economic planning is the deliberate effort by government to organize and direct the use of a country's resources to achieve set economic and social goals over a period of time (e.g., Nigeria's National Development Plans, such as the 1962-68 plan and the Rolling Plans).

Typical objectives include:

• Rapid and sustained economic growth
• Creating employment (reducing unemployment)
• Economic self-reliance (reducing dependence on foreign countries)
• Equitable (fair) allocation of resources
• Reducing income inequality and poverty
• Balanced regional development
• Price stability and a healthy balance of payments

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Achieving economic self-reliance: A genuine planning objective.
• B. Achieving economic growth: A core objective.
• C. Creating employment: A major objective, since planners aim to cut unemployment.
• D. Equitable allocation of resources: An objective, since planning aims at fair distribution of resources.
• E. Widening the income gap: This is the opposite of what planners want. Planning aims to narrow the gap between rich and poor, not widen it.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is E. Widening the income gap.

Tip: In "NOT" questions, look for the option that is negative or contradicts the usual purpose. Planning is meant to improve things, so words like "widening," "increasing inequality," or "worsening" signal the odd one out.