Jammu: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s potential to significantly contribute to India’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative during the “National Governance Conference” focused on holistic district development.
Addressing the conference the Union Minister said that Central government is putting in its best to enhance governance in remote areas, moving towards inclusivity and modern practices. Dr. Singh noted that governance reforms have accelerated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a focus on “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,” leveraging technology to improve transparency and efficiency. He reported that nearly 90 percent of government processes are now online, showcasing the effective use of technology. The Aspirational Districts Programme was highlighted as a model of competitive federalism, promoting excellence among districts. Major reforms in the past decade included the elimination of outdated regulations, pension reforms for inclusivity, and measures to enhance transparency in recruitment processes. The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) was praised for its efficiency in addressing grievances. Dr. Singh also mentioned successful initiatives like the Digital Life Certificate and the Unified Payments Interface, which have transformed digital services. He discussed the Mission Karmayogi initiative, which shifts governance from rule-based to role-based, and the Swachhata Campaign, which has significantly improved government office spaces. The SVAMITVA Scheme was noted for empowering rural landowners in Jammu. In terms of specific governance improvements in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Singh outlined the introduction of online RTI, the establishment of a Central Administrative Tribunal, and the integration of CPGRAMS. He announced a tripartite MoU aimed at enhancing the capacity of 3.6 lakh J&K government employees through the iGOT platform. AI integration for grievance redressal is also being pursued. Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, stressed the need for governance to be data-driven and focused on delivery, highlighting the importance of empathetic and transparent grievance resolution. The conference underscored the role of districts in governance and the commitment of both the Central and J&K governments to innovate and improve governance frameworks, aiming for sustainable development and progress towards a developed India.
