The Minimum Needs Programme (MNP) was introduced in the first year of the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–78), to provide certain basic minimum needs and improve the living standards of people. It aims at "social and economic development of the community, particularly the underprivileged and unde[r]served population".
The programme includes the following components:
Rural health
Rural water supply
Rural electrification
Elementary education
Adult education
Nutrition
Environmental improvement of urban slums
Houses for landless labourers
Two basic principles are observed during the implementation of Minimum Needs Programme:
the facilities under MNP are to be first provided in those areas which are at present undeserved so as to remove disparities among different areas
the facilities under MNP should be provided as a package to an area through intersectorial area projects to have a greater impact.
The objectives to be achieved by the end of the Eighth Five Year Plan are:
One peripheral health centre for 30,000 population in plains and 20,000 population in tribal and hilly areas
one sub-centre for a population of 5000 people in the plains and for 3000 in tribal and hilly areas
one community health centre for a population of 100,000
The establishment of peripheral health centres, their up gradation also come under MNP.
to extend support of nutrition to 11 million eligible persons
to consolidate mid-day meal program and link it to health, potable water and sanitation.
