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Raipur, November 22, 2024: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today emphasized that the state is committed to innovative governance through Centre-State collaboration.
At the concluding day of the 2-day Conference on Good Governance here, Chief Minister Sai lauded the conference as a platform for fostering innovative governance.
Sai acknowledged the Centre’s support in building the state’s administrative capabilities and said, “The cooperative spirit showcased here is vital for addressing the challenges unique to our state.”
He further emphasized that such conferences are crucial for exchanging ideas and creating replicable governance models across states, ensuring that no region is left behind in India’s development journey.
The discussions at the conference focused on the larger goal of improving ease of living for citizens, a central theme of the Modi government.
Speaking on this occasion Union Minister for PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said the governance reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi focus on transparency.
Union Minister Singh emphasised the government’s commitment to simplifying governance, enhancing public service delivery and fostering transparency.
The event, a joint initiative by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Grievance Redressal (DARPG) of the Central Government and the Government of Chhattisgarh, brought together policymakers, bureaucrats, and experts to discuss reforms aimed at enhancing public service delivery.
Dr Jitendra Singh was the chief guest at the Conference, which was graced by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, underlining the significance of cooperative federalism in governance.
The Conference on Good Governance at Raipur demonstrated the government’s relentless focus on transforming governance into an efficient, transparent, and people-oriented mechanism. By leveraging technology, fostering state collaboration, and modernizing administrative frameworks, the Centre continues to drive initiatives aimed at building a more equitable and prosperous India.
Dr Singh’s address, coupled with Chief Minister Sai’s endorsement, reflects the synergy between the Centre and States in creating a governance model that prioritizes the well-being of every citizen. The event stands as a testament to the potential of cooperative federalism in shaping India’s administrative future.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised the importance of taking governance beyond central halls of power, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to move discussions out of Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.
“Holding these conferences across the States ensures that governance solutions are tailored to regional needs while fostering collaboration between the Centre and the States,” he stated.
Over the past years, similar conferences have been conducted in J&K, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu among others demonstrating the government’s outreach to all corners of the country.
The Union Minister highlighted key reforms implemented under the Modi administration, such as abolishing over 2,000 obsolete rules and regulations.
These measures, Dr Singh said, reflect the government’s focus on reducing bureaucratic red tape and empowering citizens. He gave the example of scrapping the need for attested documents, stating, “This simple move sent a powerful message that the government trusts its youth.”
Dr Singh detailed the adoption of innovative technologies to improve governance efficiency. One standout initiative is the introduction of face-recognition technology for pensioners, which eliminates the need for physical verification.
“With just a mobile phone and a camera, pensioners can now complete their verification in seconds,” he said, adding that such measures have particularly benefited senior citizens who may struggle with biometric systems.
Another landmark reform discussed was the digitization of pension and family entitlement systems, ensuring timely disbursal without cumbersome procedures. The Minister also announced plans to expand these technological interventions to new domains in public service delivery.
Highlighting a unique experiment in governance, Dr Jitendra Singh spoke about the coupling of states to address shared challenges. He cited the example of Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir collaborating on river/ocean water cleaning initiatives and noted how knowledge-sharing between the States has led to innovative solutions. “This model demonstrates the power of collaboration in solving issues that transcend regional boundaries,” he said.
The Minister also reflected on the government’s bold decision to eliminate interviews for Group B and C posts. This move, he explained, was designed to remove bias, favouritism, and corruption from recruitment processes. “While this reform was initially met with scepticism, it has proven to be a game-changer in ensuring fairness and transparency,” he added.
Dr. Singh emphasized that every governance reform is aimed at making life simpler for the common man, whether by reducing delays in service delivery, combating corruption, or simplifying administrative processes.
The Minister also touched upon the amendments made to the Prevention of Corruption Act, which now treats the act of giving a bribe as seriously as taking one. These changes, he noted, strengthen accountability and transparency in governance.
