Who was the first administrator statesman to attempt planning as a means for economic development

Yes, Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya is often regarded as a pioneer of economic planning in India.

Some of his key contributions include:

• He authored the book Planned Economy for India , which proposed a systematic approach to India's economic development.
• The book emphasized industrialization, modernization, and increasing national income through planned efforts.
• As the Dewan of the princely state of Mysore (1912–1918), he promoted industrial and infrastructure development.
• His ideas influenced later discussions on economic planning in India.

However, the title "Father of Indian Economic Planning" is not an official designation and may be used differently in various academic sources. Visvesvaraya is widely recognized as one of the earliest and most influential advocates of planned economic development in India.