India Rural Development Report

On socio-economic transformation of rural areas in India.

Based on primary data collected through a nationwide survey, the report aims to resolve some of the contradictions that have stymied the expansion of infrastructure in rural India with the aim of encouraging balanced regional growth of rural infrastructure. It proposes - Forming public-private partnerships - Greater decentralisation of regulation and ownership - Greater reliance on user fees to recover costs - Greater use of microfinance This is a definitive report on the state of rural infrastructure in the four major sectors of power, telecommunications, roads and transport, and water and sanitation. Given that the solutions to rural infrastructure problems are necessarily going to be unique in rural areas, where people are already underserved, this study focusing on rural infrastructure is valuable in that it advocates for new financing methods; attracting new players to provide services; adopting new policies to support privatisation and decentralisation of infrastructure services. In sum, it outlines a financially sustainable and inventive new approach.

In this updated and enlarged edition of his classic study, S R Maheshwari discusses the conceptual, historical and constitutional background of rural development, placing it within an holistic framework. He then evaluates the major rural development programmes implemented since independence and examines their strategies and impact. Iissues examined include: rural credit, land reform, rural unrest and rural technology. The author concludes with suggestions for future policy options.

Papers presented at the National Seminar on Rural Development Administration in the 21st Century, held at Kurukshetra and Nilokheri during 8-9 September 2004; in Indian context.