The public sector in India has evolved over the past two centuries to adapt to contextual changes like political framework, economic conditions, and people's expectations. Certain systemic and
institutional changes reflect the ongoing transformation within the sector. One such change has been in the role of the District Officer (DO). Beginning as an area administrator - with the
agenda of revenue collection and representation of colonial authority - in the 18th century, the office has today evolved into a multi-faceted functionary at the centre of district
administration. Unfortunately, this process of evolution and response to the deepening of democracy has often been mistaken for a diminution of the office.
This book brings into perspective the processes and impact of public sector reforms that have gone virtually unnoticed by studying developments that have quietly, but irreversibly, altered
the way the Indian State provides goods and services to its citizen-customers. It calls upon the State to support the new, evolving and transformational role of the DO in the context of rapid
changes. This book also identifies gaps in current research in this area.
