MDP on LEAD-ART 2.0 concluded at School of Business Studies, CUJ

Jammu, February 1, 2025: Leadership and Management Development Programme on Leadership in Panchayats for Effective and Accelerated Rural Transformation 2.0 (Lead-ART 2.0) concluded at SBS, CUJ. This pioneering initiative aimed to equip elected representatives and senior officers with essential leadership and managerial skills to enhance rural policymaking and governance organised by the School of Business Studies, Central University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of J&K under the Patronage of Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Central University and Sh. Mohammad Aijaz Asad, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

With a view to enhance the leadership capacity at the grassroots and to give an impetus to the strengthening and capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions across the UT of J&K Department of RD & PR has conceptualized a programme for leadership development among the Panchayat Leaders who are leading the change at the grassroots level under the supervision of Sh. Mohammad Aijaz Asad, IAS, Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, UT of J&K for infusing professional leadership skills.

Under this initiative the Department of RD & PR in collaboration with SBS, CUJ organised the Programme for beneficiaries for developing leadership skills among the Panchayati Raj representatives for better and informed decision making and governance. The 2nd batch of participants included DDCs/ADC and ACPs and were trained in various modules on Leadership and Teamwork, Financial Management and Panchayat Finances, Effective Communication, Project Management and Monitoring, Digital Transformation, ICT, Creativity and Innovation for Village Development and more were covered by galaxy of eminent experts to instil confidence among participants and equip them with requisite skills to usher in a new era of grassroots governance.

The event witnessed participation of distinguished dignitaries and Resource Persons from academia, corporate and bureaucratic set-up including Sh. B. R Sharma, IAS, Former Chief Secretary of J&K, Prof. Dipanka Sengupta and Prof. Anil Gupta from University of Jammu, Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev, IIT, Jammu, Mr. Kanav Sharma, NABARD, Jammu, Ms. Geetika Kohli and Ms. Chitrakshi Vij Corporate Trainers, Sh. Ratan Ranjan, SDGCC Public Policy Analyst-cum-State Head SDG Coordination Centre Planning Development & Monitoring Department, Prof. Jaya Bhasin, Dean, SBS, Dr. Shahid Mushtaq, Assistant Professor, SBS and Dr. Asif Ali, Assistant Professor, SBS.

The event was inaugurated in presence of Shaam Lal, JKAS, Director, Panchayati Raj, Government of J&K, Ms. Sheetal Pandita, JKAS, Deputy Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of J&K and Prof. Jaya Bhasin, Dean, School of Business Studies, Central University of Jammu.During the valedictory session feedback was sought wherein participants expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the insightful sessions and the opportunity to enhance their leadership capabilities. Sh. Shaam Lal, JKAS, Director, Panchayati Raj, Government of J&K and Ms. Sheetal Pandita, JKAS, Deputy Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of J&K addressed the gathering during valedictory session.

The MDP organising team comprised of Prof. Jaya Bhasin, Dr. Neelika Arora, Dr. Shahid Mushtaq, Dr. Asif Ali faculty members from School of Business Studies.  Earlier Prof. Jaya Bhasin welcomed the gathering for valedictory session and briefed about the activities conducted during these three days and Dr. Shahid Mushtaq proposed formal vote of thanks. Prof. Jaya Bhasin conducted the proceeding of the programme and Ms. Riya Gandotra coordinated certificate distribution.