DOCUMENT 129. ment and auction of their moveable and ixnmoveable property in order to realise arrears. 4.4.2 Emphasis should be placed on co-operatives to combine the resources of the poor peasants to enhance their productive ability. 5.0 Enhanced direct taxation, extention of public distribution of essential commodities for which adequate supplies have to be procured, etc, are measures which are bound to be resented by the monopolists, landlords and traders, who may well retaliate by withholding supplies and switching production away from essential commodities. To carry the programme through in the face of such opposition it may be necessary for the public sector to enter the sphere of production in a much larger way by exercising a greater say in those private sector concerns in which public financial institutions have large equity participation. Further, if necessary, selective nationalisations may be resorted to and additional capacities set-up in the public sector. The process of disbursement of funds by existing public financial institutions should also be used to strengthen the non-monopoly sections at the expense of the monopoly sections in industry. 6.0 The role of the public sector is also crucial in the drive towards technological self-reliance. While we should not shut ourselves to the development ofupto-date technology abroad, the policy of liberal and indiscriminate import of technology should be substituted by one of outright purchase of technology as far as possible in selected areas by a public sector organisation which should be entrusted with the task of disseminating it domestically in an appropriate manner. The adoption of imported technology as well as planned R and D which takes the country to the technological frontier in particular areas cannot'but be a responsibility of some public sector organisations(s). Economic and technological co-operation with the socialist countries will also assist our efforts at technological self-reliance. 6.1 However, no amount of technology planning from above can form the basis for self-reliant economic development unless a^technology culture' takes roots in the minds of the people themselves. A minimum prerequisite for this is mass literacy. It is a shocking fact that after nearly four decades of independence two-thirds ofth 6.2 Steps must be taken to prevent the continued degradation of the natural environment—of forest, land and marine resources—often linked to export-oriented industries and which more often than not, seriously jeopardise the livelihood of large sections of the people traditionally dependent on these natural resources. 6.3 Further, stricter controls must be enforced on the operation of hazardous industries to prevent ecological pollution and protect the health and lives of the people. Appropriate policies and legislation should be urgently evolved for this purpose.