PM Narendra Modi's ambitious plans to transform 115 backward districts into modern one have run into the immovable schematic order ingrained into the psyche of state governments who consider themselves more a descendant of Mughul-era subedars than the custodian of a democratic order in their states. Ignoring the PM's advice for appointing young IAS officers as DMs in the 115 backward districts to effect the desired changes, the states concerned, particularly Bengal and Odisha, saw a hegemonic design and set out to frustrate the PM's plans by appointing promotee IAS officers. This has changed the age profile of the DMs: while the PM was focused on the age group of 25+ and below 30, states' way of doing things their way has ensured that the average age of the DMs in charge of the 115 backward districts is 40+. It is no one's point that elder officers may not be that efficient; there are exceptions to every rule. But it has been generally seen that elder officers have different loyalties than younger ones, and these make them less enthusiastic towards social causes. According to the PM, it is necessary to identify the reasons for the backwardness of these districts and once that is done, then problems of 80-85 of them can be addressed easily. Addressing a National Legislators Conference last Saturday on "We for development" at Parliament's Central Hall, he told lawmakers that working for the development of most backward districts would be a step towards social justice and that "hardcore politics" of struggle and agitation was no longer as relevant as it used to be.