At the two-day Conference on Good Governance held in Raipur, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the governance reforms introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing a focus on “ease of living” and transparency. Dr. Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the PMO, Atomic Energy, and Space, reiterated the government’s commitment to simplifying governance and improving public service delivery.
The event, a joint initiative by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Grievance Redressal (DARPG) and the Government of Chhattisgarh, gathered policymakers, bureaucrats, and experts to discuss reforms aimed at improving public service efficiency.
Dr. Singh, who was the chief guest at the conference, emphasized the importance of cooperative federalism in governance, highlighting the role of Centre-State synergy in achieving citizen-centric solutions. He noted that Prime Minister Modi’s directive to hold such conferences outside Delhi ensures governance solutions are tailored to regional needs, fostering collaboration between the Centre and states. Past conferences in states like J&K, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Tamil Nadu have demonstrated this commitment.
During his address, Dr. Singh highlighted key reforms under the Modi administration, such as the abolition of over 2,000 outdated rules and regulations, aimed at reducing bureaucratic red tape. He also pointed out initiatives like scrapping the requirement for attested documents, sending a message of trust in the people.
Dr. Singh also discussed innovative technological interventions, including the introduction of face-recognition technology for pensioners to ease verification, and the digitization of pension and family entitlement systems for efficient service delivery. He mentioned plans to expand such technological solutions to other areas of public service.
A notable part of the conference was the focus on collaboration between states to tackle shared challenges. Dr. Singh cited the example of Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir working together on river and ocean water cleaning projects, showcasing the power of knowledge-sharing in overcoming regional issues.
The Minister also touched upon the government’s reform in recruitment, particularly the elimination of interviews for Group B and C posts to ensure fairness and transparency. This reform, initially met with skepticism, has been hailed as a game-changer in reducing bias and corruption.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the conference as a valuable platform for promoting innovative governance. He acknowledged the Centre’s role in strengthening the state’s administrative capabilities and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in creating replicable governance models across India.
The conference discussions centered around the broader goal of improving citizens’ ease of living, a key theme of the Modi government. Dr. Singh also mentioned amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act, which now treats the act of offering a bribe with the same seriousness as accepting one, reinforcing accountability and transparency in governance.
The Conference on Good Governance in Raipur reinforced the government’s commitment to transforming governance into a more efficient, transparent, and people-centered system. By integrating technology, promoting state collaboration, and modernizing administrative frameworks, the Centre continues to drive initiatives that ensure an equitable and prosperous India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh’s address, along with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s endorsement, exemplified the strong Centre-State collaboration in building a governance model focused on citizen welfare and development.
