This title addresses the basic concepts, elements, dogmas, paradigms, determinants, policy instruments, strategies, policies and programmes, and management of rural development. The book emphasizes, in particular, the pivotal role of human resources as both a means and an end of development.

It presents how the spatial system of market centres is organised and structured in the form of vested hierarchical system, and how regional development should be structured in consonance with their regional hierarchy, so that the functional cohesion and efficiency of the regional system is preserved and augmented.

This handbook examines 25 years of decentralised governance and development in India. It provides a historical overview of developments since the introduction of decentralisation reforms (73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts) and critically assesses the measures initiated to strengthen decentralised institutions and deepen grassroots democracy. It also discusses the status of service delivery and identifies the issues and challenges involved in achieving development at the local level. The volume studies themes such as the devolution of powers in India, administrative and fiscal decentralisation, decentralised planning, Panchayats in scheduled areas, the sociological aspects of decentralisation, caste, gender and local democracy, capacity building, ICT for local governance, urban local governance, workfare and decentralisation, and decentralised natural resource management. It also looks at Panchayati Raj institutions from a Gandhian perspective. The first of its kind, this handbook will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of decentralisation and development, development studies, fiscal decentralisation, political studies, political sociology, Indian politics, Indian government, public policy and governance, political economy, South Asian studies, and South Asian politics.