Development Strategies and Governance in India: Predicaments and Challenges

This volume traces India’s developmental strategies and governance systems from state-led to market-driven models over seven decades, highlighting the disconnect between the values enshrined in the Constitution and the governance of policies. It examines a broad spectrum of development approaches addressing deeply entrenched socio-economic issues including poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, inequalities, agriculture, technology, pandemics, marginalized communities, people's participation, decentralized governance, and the challenges in socio-economic program implementation.

Underscoring that policies require a clear purpose and trustworthy governance systems for empowering the marginalized, it points out that failures are primarily at the policy level due to a lack of ideological clarity, spurred by growth and welfare dilemmas. The volume further provides insights into India’s development and social transformation and serves as a resource for those engaged in the study or practice of policy-making.

This book is particularly valuable for students and researchers of development studies, economics, political economy, public policy, political studies, sociology, governance, and South Asian studies.

Bala Ramulu Chinnala is Visiting Professor at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He was an Emeritus Fellow of the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, and a National Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi. Earlier, he was a faculty member of Public Administration at Kakatiya University, Telangana, India, for over three decades and served in various academic and administrative capacities. A recipient of several awards, he has also held several visiting fellowships. He has published seven books and 60 research papers in journals. His books include: ‘Marginalized Communities and Decentralized Institutions in India Exclusion and Inclusion Perspective’ (2021); ‘Governance of Food Security Policies in India’ (2016); ‘Technology and Rural Development’ (2000); ‘International Organizations and Rural Employment Programs in India: Emerging Trends’ (1999); ‘Development Strategies in India: Emerging Trends’ (coedited, 1993); ‘Public Policies: An Evaluation of Integrated Rural Development Programme’ (1991); and ‘Administration on Anti-Poverty Programme (A Study of SFDA)’(1984). His teaching and research interests are in the areas of development studies, decentralized governance, rural livelihood, and public policy analysis.