Exchanging pleasantries The Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, shaking hands with B.N. Yugandhar, Member of the Planning Commission, at a workshop in Hyderabad on Friday. Photo: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: B.N. Yugandhar, Member, Planning Commission, has said that India is on a growth path and its economic growth rate is far higher than that of advanced countries, historically speaking.

Addressing a two-day workshop on rural development and urban renewal, organised as part of a series for district Collectors from seven States by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Mr. Yugandhar said here on Friday that there were, however, two major setbacks to the growth.

One, agriculture was on decline and in deep crisis while all systems constituting a vibrant agriculture were destroyed. Second, the growth was not inclusive and unified.

The Planning Commission Member also regretted the total failure of justice, institutions and delivery systems in the country, which were retarding growth.

He cited the example of absence of doctors at 19 primary health centres in Mewa district of Haryana for several years in support of his claim of institutional failure.

The Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, said the administration at higher levels in the present day was accountability-driven and not performance-driven. He called for a user-friendly system of governance.

Mr. Kanda said that the pressing problems of administration were there in agriculture right from research to marketing. Maintaining the viability of rural areas was the big question before administration.

He also said governance would not serve any purpose unless problems of hunger, poverty, fear and exclusion were addressed.

P.L. Suvrathan, Additional Secretary, Government of India, said there was an intellectual decline among bureaucrats. They were more interested in their income, perks and other facilities.

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