Philosophy of Indian Administrative Reforms

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Abstract

Spectrum of Change Often reform is used interchangeably with administrative change, reorganisation and sometimes, revolution. Etymologically, reform means 'to give a new shape or form'' also, it signifies 'to bring to a better way of life'. In the parlance of Indian administration, reform refers to the process of change with complete transformatiai in terms of structure and behaviour. It is more a grandiose and infrequent effort to remodel and reorganise the administrative apparatus of government with heavy investment of men, money and time. As Caiden propounded, it haS three distinguishing features: moral purpose, artificial transformation, and administrative resistance,2 a form of creative destruction in that the old order is broken down to pave the way .for.a new order. On the contrary, administrative reorganisation is an internal exercise in which the patient is a self-appointed doctor, the approach being in the nature of prophylaxis. It takes place with some intervals. The emphasis is more on preventive than creative measures, with some remote moral purpose in view, causing no parti• cular resistance. Closer to reorganisation is administrative change which is a continual process. It is natural and not deliberate and, therefore, not immediately perceptible. It is mundane in character and hardly