Structure

Responsiveness 
Most developed countries are democratic systems. And in democracies, 
responding positively to people’s needs and aspirations is imperative. The New 
Public Administration movement in the United States, for instance, places great 
emphasis on strengthening the attribute of responsiveness of the administrative 
system. It may be interesting to mention that the New Public Administration 
shares with development administration many other features and little wonder, 
both emerged on the scene during the 1960s. 

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48 
Development Planning 
and Administration 
Of late, Great Britain is passing through a massive movement of Citizens’ 
Charters. Most public organisations, including local authorities, have 
promulgated Citizens’ Charters, which are instruments of assuring to the 
beneficiaries of public system best attention, services, security and privileges. 
These charters are in the form of commitment of institutions like banks, the 
police and development agencies to care for the interest and happiness of the 
citizen who is now seen as a “customer”. It is appreciable that most British 
organisations, take their charters seriously and therefore, these have improved the 
level of services to the common man. 
Even if we leave the subject of Citizens’ Charters aside, it must be accepted that 
in most public systems in developed nations, there is a visible concern for the 
citizen or the client. Harassment, delays and ambiguity in processes are 
conspicuous by their infrequency.
There has been a great respect for the traditions of transparency and right to 
information in most developed nations. These trends have been further 
strengthened in the last few years. In fact, they have been incorporated in 
declarations like Citizens’ Charters, wherever they exist. All this has made the 
administrative system, including its developmental component, more effective in 
its manifestations as well as impact.