Indian Administration

When this book was originally published in 1958 India was (as it is now) a stabilizing force in South Asia. In this objective analysis, Asok Chanda discusses the progressive growth of parliamentary institutions in India which led to the establishment of a parliamentary democracy; the reorganization of the provinces to give greater cohesion and unity; the adjustments effected in the inherited machinery of government to take account of the fundamental changes in the purpose of the State. Lastly the book examines the strains which developed in the civil services as a result of their past constitution, and the impact of a parliamentary form of government.

The book is an interesting and constructive study in the organization of a welfare state and a significant contribution to the literature of public administration from the twentieth century.

Asok Chanda (1902–1972) was Deputy High Commissioner in the U.K., 1948-49; Financial Commissioner for Railways, 1949-52; Secretary, Ministry of Production, 1952-54; Comptroller and Auditor-General, 1954-60. After retirement he was Chairman of the Central Excise Reorganisation Committee and later, Chairman of the Third Constitutional Finance Commission.