National Conference on “Good Governance Practices” Inaugurated in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar:17/7/25:Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, jointly inaugurated the two-day National Conference on “Good Governance Practices” today in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The conference is being organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in collaboration with the Government of Odisha on July 17-18, 2025. The theme of the conference, “Good Governance Practices,” seeks to highlight exemplary governance initiatives recognized with the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighted the remarkable progress in governance reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He noted that out of the 41 Good Governance Conferences held since Independence, an impressive 29 have been organized during Prime Minister Modi’s tenure. This, he said, reflects the scale, speed, and tone with which governance reforms are being pursued in the present era.

Dr. Singh elaborated on the four critical dimensions of the Modi-led reforms. Firstly, he described these reforms as revolutionary, breaking away from outdated practices and challenging long-held conventions. Secondly, he emphasized their far-reaching socio-economic impact, particularly at the grassroots level, where they have improved service delivery and enhanced citizens’ quality of life. Thirdly, he observed that these reforms have fundamentally changed the mindset of the common citizen, instilling a new sense of self-esteem, confidence, and trust in the system. Lastly, Dr. Singh pointed out that several initiatives—such as the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) and the Digital Life Certificate—have evolved into global models of innovative governance.

Citing the exponential growth of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has now surpassed global payment systems like VISA in terms of usage, he underlined the government’s commitment to innovation and digital empowerment. He also noted that a key hallmark of this administration has been its decisive departure from the ‘status quo’ approach of the past. “As a result, over 1,600 obsolete and archaic laws have been repealed, significantly reducing administrative burdens and promoting greater efficiency and transparency in governance”, he flagged.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, affirmed the State’s commitment to people-centric, technology-driven, and future-ready governance. He noted, “Good governance is not the prerogative of a few, but the right of every citizen and the solemn duty of every public servant.”

Highlighting Odisha’s transformative journey, he said the State has achieved notable progress across sectors—from disaster resilience to inclusive growth, and from citizen services to data-driven decision-making—thereby redefining the relationship between governance and the governed.

Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG, in his address, emphasized that the conference has been curated in alignment with the theme of Civil Services Day 2025 — “Holistic Development of India through Holistic Development of Districts and Blocks”. He reiterated the Prime Minister’s call for Commitment, Collaboration, and Capability among civil servants to realize the vision of Vikshit Bharat. He underscored that the event showcases a new paradigm in governance where young civil servants are emerging as thought leaders and catalysts of innovation, driving impactful change across the country.

The inaugural session witnessed the presence of over 400 delegates from across the country, including senior officials from the Central and State Governments, District Collectors, and award-winning civil servants. More than 20 distinguished speakers, including District Magistrates and Secretaries, will present transformative case studies and share best practices implemented under flagship government schemes.

The conference aims to foster a spirit of collaborative learning and institutional innovation by bringing together public administration leaders from the national and state levels on a unified platform. It will showcase scalable and replicable models in public service delivery, digital governance, citizen engagement, and inclusive development.