Urbanization is giving rise to a vibrant and volatile urban India. The urban local self-government (ULSG) is struggling to provide efficient, effective, inclusive and responsive urban services. Most ULSGs are too fragile to perform the mandated functions for enhancing the quality of life and making cities and towns livable. The book traces evolution of ULSGs, its decline after Independence, and steps taken to strengthen them, especially through the big-bang decentralization initiative of 1992 for their empowerment, by enacting the 74th Constitution Amendment Act (74th CAA). Analyzing facets of the decentralization initiative, views of two review Commissions, policy responses to it and processes for implementation of constitutional provisions, it alludes to conspicuous gaps at three levels such as (i) gaps and deficiencies in the 74th CAA (ii) gaps in the post-74th CAA municipal Acts that were required to conform to the constitutional provisions, and (iii) gaps due to half-hearted implementation of even the mandatory constitutional provisions. Empowerment and strengthening of ULSG being in the nature of an imperative, it explores plausible options within the constitutional autonomy of states. Empowerment denotes authority, power and clarity in municipal functional and fiscal domain. Therefore it also specifies experiential based rational framework and a strategy for strengthening ULSGs that must look beyond the existing predilection for mere training. It fills an existing void in ULSG literature on the subject. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

All India State PSC AE & PSU General Studies Chapter-wise Solved Papers

The report describes key features of ADB's operations in India and how these have evolved to support the Government of India's focus on high, inclusive and sustainable growth. As of December 2012, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had approved 168 sovereign loans amounting to $27.2 billion and 344 technical assistance projects amounting to $258 million on a cumulative basis for India. Today, ADB operations cover over 20 states in India. While infrastructure projects in the energy, transport, and urban sectors comprise over 75% of ADB's operations in the country, ADB is also engaged in promoting water resources management, agribusiness infrastructure development, financial inclusion, skills development, and regional cooperation and integration. The report provides a compendium of ongoing projects and case studies across ADB's sectors of operations in India. It also highlights the innovative elements of projects and showcases the impact of development assistance on people's lives and livelihoods.

First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"India is uniquely placed to help reduce global poverty and boost shared prosp rity. While the country has achieved encouraging results in recent years in tackling these dual challenges, it remains home to one-third of the world's poor, as well as the largest number of people who have recently escaped poverty but are still vulnerable to falling bacl,<. India is now in the midst of an important transition, casting off its long-held status as a developing nation to emerge as a new leader in the international economic arena. Strong support for the country at this crucial juncture can help bend the arc of history by accelerating the decline in poverty both in India and the world. India's ongoing transformation calls for a new phase in its long-standing partnership with World Bank Group (WBG). The new Country Partnership Strategy (FY2013-17) between India and the WBG responds by setting out a program of support- from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA}­ that seeks to develop transformational and innovative solutions to tackle the country's most pressing development challenges, especially in the poorest, least developed, and most isolated of its states. A more pronounced focus on India's low-income states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) and on urbanization are haUmarks of this new phase of partnership, and represents a key strategic shift in the WBG's support to India's development. The strategy seeks to help India Jay the foundation for achieving a long-term vision for 2030- a vision of the nation as a global economic powerhouse where more and more people share the benefits of growth and where no more than 5.5 percent of the population lives in poverty and 41.3 percent of the population is no longer vulnerable to falling back. Key Elements of the World Bank Group Strategy To help achieve the vision for India in 2030 and contribute to its ongoing transformation, the WBG strategy focuses on three broad areas of engagement: integration, rural-urban transformation and inclusion. Improving domestic- as well as regional and global- integration is key to high, sustained growth, and accelerated poverty reduction. As India continues to transform from a largely rural, agrarian economy into an increasingly urbanized one, more emphasis will be needed on creating strong linkages between the urban and rural parts of the country. WBG will support efforts to help India and its people reap the benefits of urbanization while also improving agricultural productivity. A third area of support is to work in partnership to help foster the inclusion of all social and economic groups - regardless of age, gender, caste, or place of residence - thus ensuring that the benefits of faster economic growth touch the lives of all of India's people. All three areas of engagement will share a focus on improving governance, promoting environmental sustainability, and bolstering gender equality. World Bank Group Support Given the deep and complex challenges confronting a rapidly changing country, the strategy makes the case for continued high levels of support for India. Aware that WBG finances will always be modest compared to the task at hand, the strategy aims to leverage resources in creative ways that take into account the different strengths of India's states and regions, the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, the deep experience of civil society, and the convergence of better governance and social responsibility. To make a meaningful contribution to the assault on poverty, the volume of support from the WBG should be in the order of about $5 billion per year over the next five years. For the WBG's endeavors to be effective, actions will be required at the national level, at lower levels of government, as well as through partnerships with the private sector, civil society and development partners. The strategy is closely aligned with India's own vision for development outlined in the 12th Five-Year Plan (FY2013- 17), which calls for ""faster, sustainable, and more inclusive growth"". Lessons have been incorporated from the Group's long-term engagement in the country, and take into account learning from the previous strategy (FYi009-12) as well as inputs from experts across a broad spectrum of economic, social, and government sectors. "

Urbanisation In India Has Been So Fast That During The Last Four Decades The Urban Population Has Quadrupled. The Burgeoning Urban Population Brings With It Several New Challenges Which The Urban Local Governments (Ulgs) Have To Face. There Is, Therefore, The Need To Revamp The Structure Of Ulgs And Redefine Their Functions, Duties And Powers In The Changed Urban Scenario. The Inclusion Of Several Activities Relating To Poverty Eradication And Welfare In The Functions Of Ulg Calls For A Fresh Urgency To Study Urban Administration In A New Light. The Need For The Ulgs To Re Energise Themselves To Face The Ever-Increasing Complex Urban Challenges Efficiently, Coming Out Of The Rigid, Outdated, Inflexible Working Culture And Deteriorating Administrative Standards Is Clearly Underlined In The Present Work. It Has Been Emphasized That There Is Inescapable Need To Improve The Quality Of Life In Smaller Towns To Avoid The Rural Push And To Prevent The Urban Pull Since Certain Larger Urban Areas Cannot Afford To Grow Any More Due To Infrastructure Deficiency, Growing Congestion Due To Rapid Population Growth Coupled With Increasing Traffic And Other Problems.In The Changed Socio-Political Situation In Towns And Cities Of India, There Is An Urgent Need For Reform Of Ulgs To Restructure The Official Machinery As Well As Political Organ In The Ulgs So As To Function As Active Partners In The Development Of Urban Areas.The Book Enables The Stakeholders Of Urban Development To Understand The Need And Plan To Revitalize The Ulgs To Meet The New Challenges Imposed By The Rapid Urbanization And Social And Economic Changes In Urban Areas. Some Valuable Reforms To Fulfil The Constitutional Obligations Ordained On Ulgs By The Constitution (74Th Amendment) Act, 1992 Have Been Suggested In The Book. It Also Deals With The Need For Capacity-Building, Decentralised Planning, Simplification Of Procedures, Privatisation Of Certain Municipal Services To Improve The Quality And Reduce The Cost Of Service.The Present Book Would Prove Very Useful To Planners, Policymakers, And Government Executives Concerned With The Urban Development And Social Welfare. In Addition, Students And Teachers Of Public Administration, Political Science And Economics Will Find It An Ideal Reference Book On The Topic Concerned.

African countries need to improve the performance of their public sectors if they are going to achieve their goals of growth, poverty reduction, and the provision of better services for their citizens. Between 1995 and 2004, the Bank provided some $9 billion in lending and close to $900 million in grants and administrative budget to support public sector capacity building in Africa. This evaluation assesses Bank support for public sector capacity building in Africa over these past 10 years. It is based on six country studies, assessments of country strategies and operations across the Region, and review of the work of the World Bank Institute, the Institutional Development Fund, and the Bank-supported African Capacity Building Foundation.