There has been some reference to the improvement in our economic situation also. We find that we have made good progress in production. We were faced equally with a difficult situation so far as cloth was concerned. There was a deficit of food and there was also shortage of cloth. I do remember the scenes that we had to witness in several cities where people had to stand in queues for hours together for two meters of very ordinary cloth, but now the situation is quite changed. We have produced much cloth and we are in a position to export cloth. During the British period we were required to import cloth, but now we are in a position to export cloth. After partition, we were faced with the question of raw material, namely, cotton! We had cotton mills, but cotton remained in Pakistan! Even that problem has been solved. We had placed before us a @ target for more production of cotton and not only has @ that target been achieved but it has been achieved in shorter period to the satisfaction of all people in the country. From this survey, Sir, you will find that everybody should be convinced that we are making good progress in the realisation of the objectives of the five year plan. Then there is a reference that in several essential commodities we have got increased production. This cannot 75% be denied. In spite of this increased & production, I must admit we have not been able to solve the question of unemployment 9000, but efforts are being made to ease the situation so far as this question is concerned. The main thing to which I would like to refer is that the president was pleased to say, and say very plainly, that so far as cottage industries were concerned, we have not been able to make good progress. As a matter of "Fact" very little progress has been made. If in this country we have to solve the question of unemployment, we must take, and take very seriously, to the development of cottage industries. It is therefore, quite relevant to point out that the new responsibilities which the ministry is undertaking as a result of the changes in the definitions of the terms for the purpose lf licensing could be effectively discharged only if the administrative set up is also suitably changed so as to make it possible for these new responsibilities to be adequately discharged.
