The present volume brings together author's papers on the three related themes, viz., Development Strategy, Regional Disparities in Development and Centre-State Financial Relations in India. Written on different occasions over a period of more than three decades while the author worked at the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi and also in the Planning Commission, until 1992 and thereafter, as an honorary Professor, at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, they reflect the understanding and approach prior to the launching of economic reforms in the early 1990s as well as in the post-reform period.

The 30 essays included in this book highlight author's approach and position taken on these three major interrelated issues which are of continuing interest and concern in the current academic and policy discussions. Needless to say, here's an extremely useful book for students of Indian economy and a valuable guide for policymakers, researchers and economic analysts.

    
Professor Chennamaneni Hanumantha Rao is currently Chairman, Board of Governors, Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi and Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad. He is also Member, National Advisory Council.

Born in 1929 in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, he did his graduation from Nizam College, Hyderabad. As an activist of the All Hyderabad Students Union, he participated actively in the freedom struggle. He did his M.A. in Economics from Osmania University, Hyderabad (1957) and his Ph.D from University of Delhi (1962). He was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Chicago during 1966-67. He was a Fellow at the Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi (1961-92) and also its Director (1976-80).

In addition to a distinguished academic career, Professor Rao has been at the forefront of several high-level policy making bodies under Government of India. He was a Member, Planning Commission (1982-86); Member, Seventh and Eighth Finance Commission; Member Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (1983-85); Chairman National Commission on Rural Labour (1990-91); Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee on DPAP & DDP, Ministry of Rural Development (1993-94); Member, Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (1995-97); Chairman, High Powered Fertilisers Prising Policy Review Committee (1997-98); and Member, Board of Directors, Reserve Bank of India (1994-200)

His publications include "Technological Change and Distribution of Gains in Indian Agriculture" (Macmillan, 1975); "agricultural Growth, Rural Poverty and Environmental Degradation in India" (OUP, 1994); "Andhra Pradesh Development: Economic Reforms and Challenges Ahead" (edited with S. Mahendra Dev, CESS, 2003) and over 100 research papers in academic journals.

Professor Rao has received many awards during his illustrious career. The awards/honours include Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial prize (1974-75), Sri Kambhampati Satyanarayana (Senior) Memorial Award (1998), K.H. Batheja Award (1994), Financial Express Award (1995), Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy from Srikrishna Devaraya University, Ananthapur (1991) and the Kakatiya University, Warangal (1998), in Andhra Pradesh; and Sri Ravi Narayan Reddy Memorial Award (1994), and Telgu Atma Gaurava Puraskaram (2000). He has been awarded 'Padma Bhushan' by the President of India in 2004.