The framework of administrative operation is based on the evolution of public policy. This is the sphere of politics and governance, of which bureaucracy is an integral part. The growth and harmony of the executive and legislature provide the foundation for the administration in operation. But does this task belong to the administrative sphere, independent of public policy? The play of public policy appears in the quality of the rule of law. It defines the role of representation, participation and equity in administrative acts. Politicisation of administration emerged during the ?internal emergency? of the 1970s and has grown in dimension and intensity. Administration led the way to post-colonial democratic welfare system and then to socialist ?growth with social justice.? Was the administration responsible for the creeping distortions or has the system outgrown its premise? In either case, why is there so much misgiving about administrative attitude and effort in steering post-socialist, post-welfare system? Is it the persistence of the repeatedly mentioned colonial mindset? If so, what happened to the post-colonial grassroots bureaucracy or the ?ring? of specialised, technical and scientific bodies/systems that delivers development? This volume is an exploration of Indian administration and how it can be equipped to facilitate change and is a must read for policy-makers, interest groups involved in seeking better service delivery, NGOs, academics, industrialist, traders, and students.Contents Preface Abbreviations Introduction The Administrative System and Its Working Administrative Culture and Systemic Consequences Public Service in Transition Administration and Emergency Politicisation of Administration Bureaucracy in Parliamentary Democracy Economic Order and the Administration Higher Civil Service and the Management of Change Rural Bureaucracy and the Delivery of Public Service Development Administration and Representative Institutions Administrative Corruption and Public Integrity Planning the Administrative Future Challenge of Emerging Issues IndexAbout the AuthorKamala Prasad entered the Indian Administrative Service in May 1957 and has served in various capacities with the government of India. He has been India?s permanent representative to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations and a member of the Programme Committee of the FAO. Having been a member-secretary of the Peoples Action for Development India (PADI), he has had extensive interaction with the development sector. The author retired as Chief Secretary to the government of Bihar. Since then he has been closely associated with the civil society. He has travelled extensively in India and abroad, and lives in Delhi with his wife. Mr Prasad is a fellow of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank in Washington DC. He has written extensively, with more than a hundred published papers in general, technical, professional and management journals. His articles have also appeared in a number of edited books. This is his first book.