Planning strategy for a developing region / edited by Ajit Kumar Singh c.1

Development planning in India has arrived at a critical juncture, where there is a need to reconsider the plan approach and priorities and take bold decisions regarding the next stage of planned development so that our plans help more effectively in realization of the cherished goal of raising the quality of life of the common man. The papers included in the present volume raise timely issue and give valuable suggestions in this regard. Most of the issues discussed in the papers here are being hotly debated at the national and the international levels.

The papers have been arranged under six sections: (i) Objectives and strategy of development, (ii) plan size and resour ces, (iii) employment, weaker sections and backward areas, (iv) agriculture and allied sectors, and (v) social infrastructure.

Within the overall perspective and goals different states have to devise suitable development strategies in the light of their specific problems and resources. The papers included in the present volume focus on the state of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous and one of the most backward states of the Indian Union. The issues, however, are of much wider relevance as they are similar to the major issues which emerge in case of development planning in any developing region. As much the volume would be of interest to development planners and administrators as well as students, resear chers and others interested in the issues of development planning.