I would like to make a brief mention of another aspect of administration. This relates to the decentralisation of administration. As we all know, we ushered in the Panchayati Raj in various States with a great deal of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the initial enthusiasm has subsided over a period of time. Yours was one State where the new set-up was introduced with a courage of conviction and a commitment to the cause of democracy. Maharashtra, Gujarat and some other States also introduced these new institutions of Panchayati Raj. In view of the experience of the last few years, a constant review and analysis of the results achieved so far will be necessary to improve upon the present system and to modify it. I am one of those who believe that any concentration of power, whether economic or administrative, will be against the very basic concept of democratic socialism. When I refer to the concentration of administrative power, I have in mind the whole gamut of governmental set-up both in the field and the secretariat. There is a great deal to learn from the experience of Panchayati Raj institutions. Delegation of powers and functions and encouragement to independent decision-making by officers at various levels can go a long way in speeding up the developmental activities.
We often find that, unfortunately, the idea of democratic decentralisation is ridiculed as distribution of political patronage. I am afraid this will be an entirely wrong approach to the problem. Our war against poverty, inaction, social inequalities and economic ills is going to be a long and arduous one. There is no parallel for this gigantic effort in any country at any time in human history. This task cannot be performed by a handful of people, howsoever imaginative, gifted and talented they may be. The only way to achieve our aim speedily will be by the creation of a sense of involvement in the people at all levels and making them responsible for the tasks small and big in the nation-building effort. In a sense, this will call for a great deal of ingenuity and adaptation on our part. We should, no doubt, learn from the experiences of others. We must also be receptive to new ideas and advances made in the field of public administration. But an uncritical acceptance of the administrative practices followed in advanced countries is not likely to make our task of development any easier. In fact it may complicate it further. This is as true of imported technology and innovations in industry as in administration.
