Internationally recognised expert and one of India’s most distinguished economists, C.H. Hanumantha Rao has contributed immensely to a better understanding of India’s economy. Often quoted over the years, his meticulously prepared research papers and analytical writings have enlightened students, senior researchers and policymakers alike.

It is only most appropriate that a good majority of his relatively less accessible, although academically most relevant, writings are collected, thematically arranged and presented together at one source. The present volume is an humble attempt towards this end along with a recently published ‘companion’ volume entitled “Essays on Development Strategy, Regional Disparities and Centre-State Financial Relations in India.”

Together, these volumes are a perfect tribute to the rare scholarship of this most unassuming, yet most outstanding scholar, on his 75th birthday.

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.