“In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development.” Critically evaluate. (Answer in 250 words)

Centralised development often lacks local information and creates weak feedback between decision and execution.

Importance of proximity

• Local institutions understand ecology, social norms and beneficiary priorities.
• Participation improves ownership, monitoring, adaptation and visible accountability.
• Distant uniform schemes can delay approvals and reproduce administrative convenience.

Balanced approach

• National standards, redistribution, rights and inter-state externality management still require higher-level coordination.
• Apply subsidiarity: devolve funds, functions and functionaries to Gram Sabhas and urban bodies, strengthen capacity, use social audits and retain interoperable data with consent.

Keywords: governance, decentralisation, development administration, subsidiarity