Raipur Hosts Two-Day Regional Conference on Good Governance
150 Delegates from Across the Country Share Best Practices
Raipur, November , 2024: The two-day Regional Conference on Good Governance, jointly organized by the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh Government, commenced today in Naya Raipur. The event brings together 150 delegates from various states, including senior IAS officers from Chhattisgarh, to discuss best practices, citizen empowerment, and the integration of e-platforms to simplify the delivery of public services. During the discussions, speakers emphasized that public participation is essential for effective governance, helping to overcome even the toughest challenges.
Women’s Leadership in District Administration
The second session of the day, titled “Women’s Leadership in District Administration”, was chaired by Chhattisgarh’s Additional Chief Secretary, Ms. Richa Sharma. Key speakers included Ms. Monika Rani, District Collector of Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh); Ms. Durga Shakti Nagpal, Collector of Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh); and Ms. Namrata Gandhi, Collector of Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh).
- Ms. Monika Rani highlighted the Sewa se Santushtikaran campaign, stressing the importance of connecting directly with citizens to ensure seamless access to government services.
- Ms. Durga Shakti Nagpal emphasized women’s critical role in building a healthy society, calling them natural multitaskers, caregivers, and highly empathetic leaders. She shared how women’s groups in her district are excelling in banana farming, product development, and e-commerce, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Ms. Namrata Gandhi showcased the success of the Jal Jagran Abhiyan in Dhamtari, driven by community trust and participation. The initiative has improved water conservation, raised groundwater levels, and encouraged farmers to adopt crop diversification. She also discussed efforts to support children’s mental health and education, with special programs aimed at helping students secure admissions in premier institutions like IITs and AIIMS.
Holistic District Development
The third session, titled “Comprehensive District Development”, was chaired by Ms. Niharika Barik, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development, Chhattisgarh. Speakers included Mr. Chaitanya Awasthi, Assistant Commissioner of West Garo Hills; Mr. Devesh Kumar Dhruv, Collector of Sukma; and Mr. Aditya Uppal, Collector of Pathankot.
- Mr. Chaitanya Awasthi shared how public participation, empowerment, competition, and technology have doubled achievements in the Northeast, overcoming significant geographical challenges. For instance, banks were repurposed as registration desks for the PM Awas Yojana, achieving 100% targets in Ujjwala, SVANidhi, Mudra, and KCC schemes.
- Mr. A. Shyam Prasad, Collector of Parvathipuram Manyam district, spoke about the PRISM-10 initiative to enhance healthcare in remote areas, including the innovative use of “doli systems” to transport patients to hospitals.
- Mr. Aditya Uppal highlighted the Sarkar Aapke Dwaar program in Pathankot, which organizes village camps to provide citizens with access to government schemes and grievance redressal services.
Tackling Maoist Challenges in Sukma
Sukma Collector Mr. Devesh Dhruv outlined the dual challenges of geography and Maoist extremism in his district. He emphasized the importance of setting up security camps to enable development work. Initiatives like reopening 123 closed schools and launching the Aakar program for children with special needs have been transformative. Facility camps are also being organized to ensure the delivery of government schemes to local residents.
Conclusion
The conference underscored the importance of public engagement and community trust in achieving good governance. From women-led initiatives to innovative district-level programs, the discussions showcased a diverse range of strategies aimed at improving service delivery, empowering citizens, and fostering inclusive development. The two-day event promises to be a platform for cross-learning and collaboration among states to drive governance excellence.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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