Abstract:
The title of this book and its slim dimensions are an indication
of its purpose: to present a concise description of contemporary
district administration in rural India. Emphasis is
placed on rural development administration, as befits the importance
of its relationship to the subject. The book seeks to
fill a gap in the general literature on India, although the subje
c t is vast and ideally should be treated separately for each
state.
I obtained most of the material for the book in India during
August 1960-April 1961, in the following manner:
1. Study of government publications, manuals, records and
correspondence.
2. Discussion with government personnel in district administration
and with village leaders.
3. Observation of government personnel and village leaders
doing their work. primarily in portions of Nalgonda District (Andhra Pradesh)
and portions of four districts in the State of Rajasthan (Ajmer,
Banswara, Barmer, Sawai Madhopur).
The spelling attempts to follow that used in official documents
in India today. Where Hindi words have been used,
they are explained in the first instance; a glossary is appended
for the reader’s convenience. Diacritical marks have been
omitted.
This bool? owes much to many people both in India and England:
to the Passfield Trustees for financial assistance, which
supported my work as the Research Fellow in Public Law,
Government or Public Administration in the Commonwealth at
the London School of Economics and Political Science during
the period 1960-62, and which enabled me to visit India to
collect material; to State officials, Collectors (especially T. N.
Chaturvedi, Collector at Ajmer), Vikas Adhikaris, extension
officers, and Gram Sevaks in the Government of Rajasthan, and
to the village people of Rajasthan, for their patient counsel and
gracious hospitality; to other friends in India (especially Professor
V. K. N. Menon, Director, Indian Institute of Public
Administration, New Delhi), for their kind welcome and assistance
in granting me access to valuable information; to Professor
William A. Robson, for his inspiration and guidance from
the very beginning; and above all, to my wife, Jennifer, for her
marvellous support and encouragement in every way.
The responsibility for the result is mine.
