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. Three options will be genuine aims of planning, and one will be the opposite of what a government wants.

Step 2: Explain the concept Economic planning is the deliberate effort by a government to direct and coordinate the use of a country's resources to achieve set goals within a given period (for example, Nigeria's National Development Plans). Typical objectives include:

• Directing economic development in a desired direction
• Making the best use of scarce resources
• Raising the standard of living and national income
• Creating employment
• Reducing inequality and regional imbalance
• Achieving balanced and sustained growth, including social and cultural development
• Narrowing the gap between developing and developed countries

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Directing economic development toward a desired path is a core objective of planning. ✔ It is an objective.
• B. Ensuring sustained cultural development is a social/developmental goal that planning can cover. ✔ It is an objective.
• C. Widening the gap between developing and developed countries is the opposite of what planning aims for. Developing countries plan in order to catch up with developed ones. ✘ It is NOT an objective.
• D. Managing scarce resources in the face of unlimited wants is the basic economic problem that planning is meant to address. ✔ It is an objective.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C.

Tip: In "which is NOT" questions, look for the option that works against the goal of progress. Words like "widen the gap" or "increase poverty" are usually the odd ones out when planning is about growth, efficiency and development.