By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, FEB 12, 2025: UNION Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh  yesterday inaugurated the 4-day International Conference on Governance dedicated to the theme  "Next Generation Administrative Reforms - Reaching the Last Mile" organised jointly by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and Department of Administrative Reforms Govt of India.

The event is an occasion of prestige for India since a conference of this nature is being hosted for the first time in India with participation of nearly 55 countries from across the globe.

Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform to explore innovations in public administration, governance, and policymaking. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Singh emphasized the theme of the conference: "Next Generation Administrative Reforms - Reaching the Last Mile."

Dr. Jitendra Singh also released a Book on "Viksit Bharat @ 2047" themed Governance Transformed.

The Minister said, not only India but the world yesterday is discussing "Viksit Bharat" and claimed that  the transformative journey of India's citizen-centric governance since May 26, 2014, the day when Narendra Modi had assumed office as the Prime Minister of India. He highlighted India's economic transformation, from being part of the 'Fragile Five' to a member of the 'First Five,' showcasing a remarkable shift driven by reforms in public administration and governance. Dr. Jitendra Singh noted India's impressive rise in the Global Innovation Index, moving from 81 st to 39 th place-a leap he described as "quantum."

The minister further underscored key indicators of the success of India's next-generation administrative reforms, citing the significant expansion of broadband connectivity, which now covers almost 80% of the population. He pointed to the Swamitva Mission, which enables citizens to map their land through drones and satellites, reducing dependence on revenue officials. These reforms, he stated, have translated into tangible improvements in the ease of living for citizens.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also lauded the government's push towards financial inclusion, citing the rise of digital transactions and direct benefit transfers as key milestones. With 46% of the total digital transactions occurring in India, he mentioned that over 16.8 billion transactions were processed in just one month of October 2024, highlighting the positive socio-economic impact of these reforms.

The Minister praised initiatives under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), including CPGRAMS, one of the best grievance redressal systems in the world. He also pointed to the launch of Right to Information 2.0, a new app enabling citizens to access information with a single click, and Mission Karmayogi, a capacity-building initiative for civil servants.

In line with Prime Minister Modi's vision of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance," Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to the abolition of interviews for Group C and D employees, emphasizing democratizing governance and providing equal opportunities for all.

Highlighting India's technological advancements in governance, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India is among the first countries to establish a National Quantum Mission and Open Network Digital Commerce. He also highlighted India's space achievements, including the Chandrayaan Mission, which made India the first country to reach the Moon's South Pole, and the Aditya L1 Mission, which has made India one of only three nations to have a dedicated mission.

The Minister also celebrated India's breakthroughs in healthcare, including the first indigenous DNA vaccine and India's first HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer. He further highlighted the indigenous development of the antibiotic Nafithromycin and the first successful gene therapy trial for hemophilia.

 Additionally, he shared that the Department of Atomic Energy installed a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at the Kumbh Mela, addressing the daily load of 1 million liters of faecal sludge

Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasized India's commitment to global climate goals under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

The IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025 provides an invaluable platform for global scholars, policymakers, administrators, and academics to exchange knowledge and discuss the role of governance, technology, and public administration reforms in improving citizen services and public service delivery.

The conference includes interactive sessions and plenaries, offering valuable insights and collaborative solutions for enhancing governance efficiency worldwide.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Mr. Ra'ed Mohammed BenShams, President of IIAS, and Mr. Sofiane Sahraoui, DG IIAS. Other notable attendees included Secretary DARPG V. Shrinivas, DG IIPA S.N. Tripathi and Additional Secretary DARPG Puneet Yadav.

This conference serves as a crucial global platform for discussing the future of public administration, governance reforms, and the role of technology in shaping the governance landscape.