Diamond Jubile lecture on “Governance in Transition”

Noted think tank identifies areas of transition for developmental goals

“Because of developmental challenges and historic anomalies, India has to sail in against the tide of history while drawing framework for the big picture aiming at governance transition in public interest.”

This was stated by Dr Pratap Bhanu Mehta, noted think tank, president and Chief Executive of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, while delivering a talk on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee Lecture on “Governance in Transition”, organized by J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), on November 29, 2014.

While elaborating, he informed that even if India continues on its current growth rate and growth rate of China slows down marginally, the per capita income in the respective countries will remain 1:10.

Highlighting the factors which need to be focused upon for achieving developmental goals, Dr Mehta emphasized the need for removing the existing paralysis and plutocracy in the political systems of the country to ensure India’s march towards good governance. He also stressed upon the need for regulation reforms and fiscal decentralization in India.

Maintaining that governance transition has to be appropriately managed to serve in public interest, Dr Mehta identified three specified areas, which require transition for quality governance. These include, transition from crony capitalism to well regulated capitalism, dialect of centralization and decentralization and transition from popularism to social democracy, he said and explained all the points one by one.

Dr Mehta, who is a former member of National Security Council, said that welfare state does not mean a burden on economy but investment in growth, which is necessary for achieving larger goals.

In his concluding remark, Governor N N Vohra said that the quality of governance decides the destinies of nations, societies and individuals.

“In simple terms, the Constitution of India provides the framework and goals of governance. However, in actual practice, in the years past, the institutions of governance have suffered decline and therefore, the demand for good governance is being repeatedly voiced because of the endemic inefficiency, malfunctioning, corruption, lack of accountability and transparency and other failures in the functioning of the administrative systems,” he said.

Mr Vohra stressed that for achieving balanced growth and development, it was urgently necessary to ensure the effective delivery of good governance.

On the occasion, Governor launched the website of IIPA Regional Branch while a newsletter of the IIPA J&K chapter was also released.

Dr Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, presented the welcome address and threw light on topic of the lecture.

Er J B S Johar, Hony Secretary, IIPA presented a formal vote of thanks while Prof Alka Sharma conducted proceeding of the event.

Usha Vohra, First Lady of the State, Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof R D Sharma, DGP K Rajendra, Chief Vigilance Commissioner Kuldeep Khoda and a number of senior officers, members of IIPA and prominent citizens attended the lecture.