Dr. Padmakar Ramchandra Dubhashi, a retired civil servant, is presently chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Pune Kendra.

• Born on March 7, 1930, Dr Dubhashi obtained M.A. and Ph.D. from Pune University for his thesis “Policy and Performance – Agricultural & Rural Devlopment in Post Independent India”. He received D.Litt. from Bombay University for his books and writings including “Grammer of Planning”. He also obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Economics and Social Administration from the London School of Economics, where he studied as British Council scholar.
• As an Indian Administrative Service officer, Dr. Dubhashi in his thirty five years of service, worked in various capacities. He also headed various co-operative institutions. He was the first Chairman of Krushak Bharati Co-operative (KRIBCO). As Deputy Secretary and Director, he placed community development and co-operative training institutions on a sound footing in various states. He was Director (Studies) at the National Institute of Community Development Mussuri. As the first Principal of College of Agricultural Banking of RBI at Pune, he formulated programmes of training in Agriculture finance for commercial bankers. After nationalization of large commercial banks, he played a pioneering role in introduction of new responsibility of Agriculture Finance for the commercial bankers. He was also responsible for setting up the National institute of Co-operative Management named after Vaikuntha Mehta in Pune.
• As administrator of Malaprabha and Ghatprabha projects in Karnataka, Dr. Dubhashi formulated a multi sectional programme of integrated command area development for utilization of irrigation potential under the large irrigation projects. This later became model for command area development (CADA) in the country. He formulated rules and guidelines for functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions in the state. As member of the expert group appointed under the chairmanship of the Late L.M. Singhavi, he formulated the draft for providing the constitutional base for Panchayati Raj institutions, which later became the basis of 93rd amendment of the Constitution. Dr. Dubhashi contibuted to the decentralized planning process by serving as member of the committee on district planning. He also headed the committee on Programmes Evaluation Organisation of the Planning Commission.
• Dr Dubhashi represented the country at the World Bank for sanction of loans for irrigation projects in Karnataka and fertilizer project of Hajira. As Establishment Officer in the Union Home Ministry, he not only served as Secretary of the Appoinments Committee of the Cabinet but also prepared an Establishment Manual to provide guildelines for personnel management. He also served as Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat. He served as Director, IIPA New Delhi for five years. He was Vice President of the International Association of Schools and institutions of Public Administration.
• Dr. Dubhashi has participated in a large number of conferences at national and international level in several areas – Rural and community Development, Co-operation, Panchayati Raj, Planning, Poverty alleviation and training of public servants. He organized many conferences for Government of India and the State Government. He also delivered lectures on various subjects relating to Public Administration including Dr. Zakin Hussain Memorial Lecture and Dr. John Memorial Lecture. Dr. Dubhashi has to his credit twenty five books and numerious articles and papers relating to various facets of public administrations and economics which have been published in leading national newspapers and journals.
• Dr Dubhashi has also served in various capacities, like member of the Expert Committee on Rural Finance appointed by NABARD and as Chairman of the Committee on Management Institues appointed by the Pune University. He has also served as Vice Chancellor of Goa University. He was consultant to IFAD and Asian Development Bank and gave reports on many countries including Nepal, Burma (now Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia and Tonga.

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