Development Administration
What is Development?
- Definition: Development means growth, change, improvement, or progress in various areas like economy, society, and culture.
- Purpose: It helps people move from one stage to a better stage, improving their quality of life.
Relation to Public Administration:
- Public administration is about “government in action,” involving the work of legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- When public administration focuses on achieving growth and progress, it becomes Development Administration.
Evolution of Development Administration
Welfare State Influence:
- A Welfare State ensures the economic and social well-being of citizens by providing basic needs like food, shelter, education, and health.
- In the early 20th century, the idea of a welfare state changed public administration. It shifted from routine tasks to planned actions for development.
Post-World War II Context:
- After World War II, many Asian and African countries, including India, became independent.
- These countries faced challenges like poverty, hunger, and social inequality.
- Their goal was nation-building, which required more than routine government work.
- Foreign aid from developed countries was not enough, so these nations adopted new approaches to development.
Shift in Focus:
Governments became agents of change, focusing on:
- Economic growth
- Social progress
- Political development
- Cultural improvement
This holistic approach led to the rise of Development Administration.
Meaning of Development Administration
Definition: It is the process of using government actions to achieve progressive goals in political, economic, and social areas.
Key Thinkers:
- Edward Weidner: Development Administration guides organizations toward achieving progressive objectives set by the government.
- Merle Fairsoul: It involves new functions taken up by developing countries for modernization and industrialization.
Difference from Traditional Administration:
- Traditional public administration follows strict rules and hierarchy, which can cause delays (called red tape).
- Development Administration is innovative, flexible, and focused on achieving change and growth.
Traditional Public Administration vs. Development Administration
Areas of Traditional Public Administration
Organization of Government:
Studies the structure of government, like ministries, departments, and bodies such as UPSC or Election Commission.
Management of Tasks:
Focuses on leadership, planning, and coordination, e.g., NITI Aayog’s role in planning.
Personnel Administration:
Deals with recruitment, training, salaries, and pensions, e.g., UPSC recruitment process.
Financial Administration:
Involves budget-making, parliamentary committees (like Public Accounts Committee), and audits.
Administrative Law:
Covers rules made under laws and tribunals like the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal for resolving disputes.
Why Change Was Needed
Developing countries like India are post-colonial and face unique challenges:
- Economic and social inequality
- Need for modernization
- Adoption of new technologies
Traditional administration was not enough to achieve these goals, so Development Administration was introduced to focus on setting and achieving development objectives.
Features of Development Administration
Change-Oriented:
- Unlike traditional administration, which prefers stability, Development Administration aims to bring change.
- Example: In India, the government invested in industries, dams (like Bhakra-Nangal), and power projects to fight poverty and modernize the economy.
Output-Oriented:
- It sets clear targets (e.g., 8-10% economic growth per year) to achieve specific results.
- These targets help the government measure progress and ensure efficiency.
Citizen Participation:
- Development requires people’s involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.
- In India, programs like the Community Development Programme (1952) and 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) promoted participation through Panchayati Raj and municipalities.
- Participation ensures that development meets local needs, especially in a diverse country like India.
Public Commitment:
- Bureaucrats (government officials) must be dedicated and committed to achieving development goals.
- They need to feel a sense of responsibility to overcome challenges and work for national progress.
Aspects of Development Administration
Administration of Development:
- Setting development goals (e.g., reducing poverty).
- Taking steps to achieve these goals through programs and policies.
Development of Administration:
Improving the existing administrative system to make it more efficient and capable of achieving development goals.
Development Administration in India
Goals of Development Post-Independence
India faced challenges like poverty, colonial exploitation, and underdevelopment after independence. The government set the following goals:
Modernization of the Economy:
Focused on industrialization to create jobs and increase national income.
Land Reforms:
Redistributed land from large landowners to farmers to reduce inequality.
Agricultural Development:
Used high-yielding seeds to boost food production and reduce rural poverty.
Self-Reliance:
India wanted to be independent from foreign influence, accepting aid but avoiding dependence.
Socialist Pattern with Social Justice:
- Followed a welfare state model to reduce income and wealth inequality.
- Provided services like education and healthcare to improve living standards.
Role of Planning
Planning Commission (1950-2014):
- Created to plan India’s development through Five-Year Plans.
- Focused on agriculture, industry, poverty removal, and social security.
NITI Aayog (2014 onwards):
- Replaced the Planning Commission to promote decentralized planning.
- Encourages planning from the village to national level, involving states and local bodies.
- Acts as a think tank to support sustainable development.
Key Development Programs in India
The government launched several programs to achieve development goals:
- 1952: Community Development Programme (CDP) – Promoted rural development and people’s participation.
- 1966-67: Green Revolution – Increased agricultural production using better seeds and technology.
- 1975: Command Area Development Programme (CADP) – Improved irrigation use.
- 1975: Twenty Point Programme (TPP) – Aimed to eradicate poverty and improve living standards.
- 1980: Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) – Focused on rural poor development.
- 1989: Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) – Provided jobs to rural unemployed.
- 1995: Mid-day Meal Scheme – Gave meals to schoolchildren to improve attendance and nutrition.
- 2000: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Built roads to connect villages.
- 2005: Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) – Improved urban infrastructure.
- 2005: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) – Guaranteed 100 days of work to rural households.
- 2009: Aadhaar – Provided unique IDs to citizens for better access to services.
- 2014: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – Promoted financial inclusion by opening bank accounts.
- 2014: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – Aimed for a clean and hygienic India.
- 2017: Udaan Scheme – Encouraged girls to pursue higher technical education.
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