Development Administration

Development has not only economic but also social as well as cultural dimensions. The state has tried to play its role in the field of development. But its wavelength is at variance with that of the people. The central and critical point is that masses want work. But the political and administrative classes are after money and power. Hence there is a hiatus. Development administration in India is about the fight against hunger, malnutrition, infant morality maternal mortality, ill health, illiteracy and deprivation of the poor, who form the majority of the country. There is an increasing awareness in the country today that rather than fighting unemployment through a centralized mode of administration, the state can address the grievances of the people through decentralized economic as well as political power. There is rampant and unabashed corruption in high places. The society is being pushed to the precipice of moral and spiritual bankruptcy by the baser instincts of the power elite. The populace wants jobs; but the government is on the capitalistic road of economic development, which through liberalization, privatization and excellence, in spite of, all the bad things that flow from it. The top bureaucracy cultivates exclusiveness, springing from the feeling that they are arrogance leading to insensitiveness to the suffering of the masses. Specialists’ legitimate role has been usurped by generalists. Citizens’ participation is a prerequisite for development. It makes them self-reliant responsible and autonomous. This can come through a decentralized economic and Political System.