Weakening of various democratic and public institutions depriving them of freedom and autonomy, family rule, corruption and centralisation are among the issues that are denying the fruits of development to society at large, former Chief Secretary Ajeya Kallam has said.
Addressing a gathering after release of his book ‘Wake Up Call’ by former Union Energy Secretary E.A.S. Sarma here on Friday, he said whether weakening of institutions increased corruption or vice-versa was a chicken- and-egg question.
C.S. Rao, former IES officer and founder president of Praja Spandana, presided.
Elaborating on the 12 issues that he flagged in the book meant for provoking and thought and debate leading to collective action from village-level, Mr. Kallam expressed concern over the slogan of self-respect being raised with regard to SCS when 150 to 200 families were ruling the State.
He was also critical of actors taking to politics and their becoming role-models notwithstanding their lavish life style. Political leaders were openly talking about spending ₹ 25 crore on election and it all pointed to public loot, he said.
He was critical of grandiose plans for Amaravati and quoted the instance of developed countries doing with small capitals and even negative incentives for excessive growth and most of the industries coming up in small towns and rural areas.