Technology has immense potential to bring government and citizens’ closer”: V SRINIVAS

Says ‘J&K receiving Center’s focused approach; education, health, nutrition, infrastructure get huge push’

JAMMU, OCTOBER 01: “India is marching fast towards digital empowerment of citizens besides cybernated transformation of institutions to optimize transparency and accountability in day-to-day functioning”, stated Union Secretary, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, V Srinivas, while delivering key note address on Prelude Conference on “New Paradigms of Governance” organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration, JK Regional Branch.

He said that good governance include technology usage, secretariat reforms, special campaigns, benchmark  of governance and services, redressal of public grievances and improving service delivery, recognizing meritocracy and replication of good governance practices of the country..

Srinivas said that the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), is at the forefront of driving transformative changes in governance, embracing digitization and focusing on inclusive development,  with innovative approaches to enhance public service delivery and good governance. The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) stands as a hallmark in the journey towards an accountable governance. This online platform has significantly streamlined grievance redressal mechanisms, providing citizens with an effective channel to voice their concerns and seek resolutions, he added. He said that the system’s efficiency has been duly recognized through the esteemed PM’s Awards for Excellence.

While mentioning the initiative like Har Ghar Jal Yojana and Aspirational Districts Program, he outlined the role of effective governance in transforming lives, especially in rural areas, by ensuring water security and improving overall public health and well-being. He further pointed out the focused approach in Jammu and Kashmir, which exemplifies the government’s dedication to uplift underdeveloped regions through strategic interventions and collaborative efforts, which aim to improve key indicators related to education, health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and infrastructure.

Srinivas added that the District Good Governance Index, which was first implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, plays a pivotal role in evaluating and enhancing the performance of districts across the nation. This initiative facilitates healthy competition among districts, encouraging them to strive for higher standards of governance and service delivery.

“National E-Services Delivery Assessment is another significant step towards evaluating e-services delivery mechanisms, promoting innovation, and ensuring effective redressal of public grievances. It stands as a testament to the government’s commitment towards providing citizen centric services in the digital age”, maintained Srinivas. He said that efficiency in the Central Secretariat is being enhanced through systematic reforms and leveraging technology to streamline processes, improve coordination, and achieve greater effectiveness in policy formulation and implementation through convergence of multiple portals to one portal  “one nation, one portal” with reverse integration.

“Jammu & Kashmir is a huge success story in this context. Vision India@2047, an ambitious initiative, aims to transform India into a self-reliant and globally competitive nation, emphasizing sustainable growth, equitable development, and inclusive governance is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment towards providing efficient, transparent, and citizen centric services. These transformative initiatives pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future, aligning with the aspirations of a ‘New India’ by 2047”, asserted Srinivas.

Dr. Ashok Bhan, Former DGP, JKP and Patron, IIPA JKRB, in his address, said we are enlightened to have first hand information from V. Srinivas and emphasized the vital role of citizen-centric governance. He stressed that good governance alone is insufficient; proactive citizen involvement and a citizen-centric approach are imperative. He emphasized the need to empower citizens, ensure a proactive delivery system at various levels, and foster participation to ascertain inclusive and equitable practices.

B R Sharma, Former Chief Secretary, J&K and Chairman of IIPA JKRB, emphasized e-government as a developmental priority with a focus on citizen-centric governance and effectiveness, rule-of-law-based implementation. He said that integration of cutting-edge technology is vital for achieving objectives in the pursuit of good governance.

K B Jandial, Director (Seminars), IIPA JKRB, in his welcome address advocated evolving governance from British legacy, drawing from Kautilya Arthashastra, e-governance, to embracing AI’s potential.

The progamme was attended by over 100 government officials from General Administration Department and J&K Police, members of IIPA, eminent people from civil society and academia.