Mussoorie/New Delhi: The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has successfully completed its inaugural Mid-Career Training Program for civil servants from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations. Held from October 14 to October 25, 2024, the two-week program hosted 36 senior officials from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan in Mussoorie and New Delhi. Attendees, including Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Commissioners, and Deputy Directors, engaged in intensive sessions designed to boost regional cooperation and governance expertise.
Surendra Kumar Bagde, Director General of NCGG, underscored the program’s role in facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange and mutual learning. “NCGG is committed to fostering transparent, accountable, and digitally advanced governance practices that will serve as a foundation for sustainable development across BIMSTEC nations,” he said, encouraging participants to apply their insights and reach out to NCGG for continued support.
V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, highlighted the transformative potential of digitalization in public service delivery, aligned with India’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” approach. He pointed to India’s advancements in public services through digital tools and lauded successful governance models in procurement, fintech, and grievance redressal, which streamline services to citizens across last-mile delivery points.
Participants from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan expressed their gratitude, noting that the program’s insights would be instrumental in enhancing service delivery in their home countries. The program included comprehensive academic sessions and field visits, focusing on the application of digital governance, accountability, and public service efficiency.
Dr. A.P. Singh, Associate Professor and Course Coordinator, along with Associate Coordinator Dr. M.K. Bhandari and Training Assistant Sanjay Dutt Pant, coordinated the program. NCGG, established in 2014, has now trained over 5,000 civil servants from 33 nations including Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Maldives, and Afghanistan. The center remains dedicated to empowering officers from both India and abroad, advancing sustainable governance models worldwide.