Panel discussion on "Challenges of Governance: An insider's View" at the ICFAI University, Dehradun Sept 18, 2019

A panel discussion on the book "Challenges of Governance: An insider's View" written by Shri B K Chaturvedi(Ex-Cabinet Secretary) was conducted at the ICFAI University, Dehradun. The event was coordinated by Dr. Amit Joshi and Assistant Professor Preeti Bhaskar of ICFAI Business School. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Shri B K Chaturvedi- Ex-Cabinet Secretary. The event was presided by Ex- Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand and Chancellor of ICFAI University Dr. M. Ramachandran. The Key Speakers at the occasion were -Ex-Chief Secretary and Present Information Commissioner, Govt. of Uttarakhand Shri Shatrughan Singh , Ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand and Chancellor of DIT Unison University Shri Ravi Shanker and Ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand Shri Indu Kumar Pandey.

Chief guest Shri B K Chaturvedi shared his views on the topic by giving reference of his book Challenges of Governance: An insider's View". He said “It is important that civil servants write about their work and the manner in which they met the challenges. This is the material from which learning evolves. Over the years, I have seen a strong desire in political executives to select officers they think will do their bidding. This focus on personnel rather than programmes does not improve governance. Violations of the moral code by state cadre IAS officers should be overseen by the chief secretary. This would however be feasible only if he, like the Cabinet Secretary in GOI, has a stable tenure of at least four years. Transparency, honesty and hard work are the pillars of good governance.”

Dr B K Joshi, former Vice chancellor, Kumaun University introduced Shri Chaturvedi’s book Challenges of Governance an insider’s view. He said “The book analyses the challenges of the decision-making process in a coalition government, the pulls and pressures faced by the Civil Service and how complex issues are finally resolved. Significant events like the 2004 tsunami and the critical role of allies in the Indo-US nuclear deal are perfectly balanced with an in-depth understanding of the manner in which the perception of corruption in the government was fuelled by the CAG report on the 2G spectrum scam.”

Dr. M. Ramachandran Ex- Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand, Chancellor of ICFAI University presided the discussion and said “ The book of Shri Chaturvedi is a mixture of personal reflection and political history and draws heavily on his extensive experience and painstaking data collection, and sets forth his ideas on improving public administration.”

Ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand and Chancellor of DIT Unison University, Shri Ravi Shanker said “we need to emphasize on the four thinking hats of good governance and too much dependency on technology in future will be disruptive and will have negative implications.”

Shri Indu Kumar Pandey- Ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Uttarakhand said “we need to strengthen the IAS system and usher a systematic reform competition, we need think on restructuring the system so as to build a better image of the bureaucrats among the common public. ”

Ex-Chief Secretary and Present Information Commissioner Shri Shatrughan Singh said “The need of the hour four good governance is to reform the education and health system of the country”.

The students of ICFAI University participated with great enthusiasm and raised questions on the revoke of article of RTI, Religious harmony.

The Vice Chancellor of the ICFAI University,Dehradun Dr. Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Muddu Vinay, Registrar Brig. Rajiv Sethi(Retd.) were also present during the discussion along with all students and Faculty members of The ICFAI University,Dehradun.