‘New Young Professionals’ Vision is Crucial in Addressing Current Governance Challenges,’ Union Minister for Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar

Union Minister for Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar said that the vision of new young professionals is essential in addressing the present challenges faced by governance and administration. He mentioned that by 2035, the country’s current electricity demand will double and housing will need to be provided for 130 crore people of the country. Achieving these big goals will require special cooperation from new young professionals so that new dimensions can be achieved nationwide.

The Union Minister expressed these views while speaking as the chief guest at an event organised in honour of completion of eight years of the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates (CMGGA) programme in Haryana, held at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi last evening.

The event was attended by former CMGGA associates, senior officials of Haryana government, private sector partners of the programme and 22 graduating associates who have been working in the state for the past 15 months.

During the programme, Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar shared his experiences, saying, “When I took over the responsibility of the state as Chief Minister in Haryana, I had no experience, and it was my first time as an MLA. When I discussed this with Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he said that when he became Chief Minister, he was not even an MLA when appointed as CM of Gujarat. As you work, you learn, and the cycle of learning and teaching continues.” He also recounted his experience during the 1996 floods in Rohtak, where he worked with the administration despite not knowing any bureaucrats in Haryana, except the then Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak, Sh. TVSN Prasad, who is now the current Chief Secretary of Haryana. He emphasised that with the spirit of serving people during the floods, he learned by working with the administration.

The Union Minister said that when he took over as Chief Minister in Haryana, the state was termed as having a policy paralysis, and there were no rules and regulations followed in the government system. Therefore, he took up the task of establishing a system governed by rules in the interest of society and the state. Various new initiatives were started and yielded positive results, such as the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme, the CM-Window programme and the formation of the Pond Authority for the renovation of ponds. Good governance associates played a significant role in the success of these programmes, he added. “We are Proud of the CMGGA Programme, which has become integrated with everyone today,” he further said.

He said, “We are proud of the CMGGA programme, which has become integrated with everyone today.” He mentioned that opposition members criticised the programme, but he stated that it was implemented for his assistance. He clarified that the CMGGA programme was not a job but a one-year programme based on merit for solving problems. The CMGGA programme provided social exposure for the youth, becoming a support for them as it provided a good platform for their future. He thanked everyone involved in the programme for successfully running it as a team.

“The CMGGA Programme served as a bridge between people and the government,” said Dr. Amit Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Project Director of CMGGA. Dr. Amit Agrawal, said that Sh. Manohar Lal was the chief architect of the CMGGA programme, which successfully made operational under his leadership. He said that 148 good governance associates have successfully collaborated on various governance initiatives. This programme served as a bridge between people and the government, promoting citizen-centric governance. Initiatives like the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ programme saw significant improvements in the sex ratio in Haryana. The state, previously known for female infanticide, is now recognised for promoting its daughters. “Over 10 crore Services Provided Through Saral Centres,” said Dr. Amit Agrawal.

Dr. Amit Agrawal apprised that in the past eight years, all good governance associates have closely collaborated with district administration and various state government departments, opening over 660 Antyodaya Saral centres and providing more than 10 crore services through these centres, earning the Platinum Award from the President under ‘Excellence in Digital Governance. Good governance associates have played a key role in implementing e-office, Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, Amrit Sarovar Yojana, The Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority, Saksham Haryana Initiative and the Playway School Scheme for Anganwadi upliftment. These initiatives have benefited people and over 20 good governance associates are currently working as advisors in various departments.

“The support provided by the Good Governance Associates helped in better implementation of various schemes,” said Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary President’s Secretariat, Government of India and former Project Director of CMGGA. Dr. Rakesh Gupta shared his experiences regarding the implementation of the Haryana Online Transfer Policy. He explained how the online transfer policy was implemented and received appreciation nationwide. He mentioned that Sh. Manohar Lal emphasised tech-governance and using IT in government system. Sh. Rakesh Gupta, while discussing the work done by the Good Governance Associates, said that their support helped in better implementation of various schemes. He expressed hope that similar programmes will continue in the future.

During the programme, the Director of the Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Yashpal Yadav also shared his thoughts. In the programme, Chief Feedback Officer Mohit Soni, who was also a CMGGA, shared information about the work done with Sh. Manohar Lal during his tenure as CMGGA and expressed his views very eloquently. On this occasion, Ashoka University’s Vice Chancellor Somak Raychaudhuri, along with Gaurav Goel, Vineet Gupta, and Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha from the University, also addressed the gathering. The event was also addressed by senior bureaucrats, private sector partners of the programme and parents of graduating associates. The function was attended by 22 associates of the graduating cohort who have worked in the state for the last 15 months, their parents, past associates, senior bureaucrats of Haryana and private sector partners of the programme. It is significant to note that the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates Programme, started in 2016, is the longest running district fellowship programme across the country. It is a flagship initiative aimed at improving governance and public service delivery in Haryana. By engaging young professionals as associates, the programme seeks to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to governance challenges, thereby fostering citizen-centric governance.

On this occasion, Sh. Manohar Lal also released a film and a coffee table book showcasing eight years of CMGGA’s work. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Sh. Manohar Lal and others. Sh. Manohar Lal was also honored with a plant. During the event, Sh. Manohar Lal presented appreciation certificates and mementos to CMGGA posted in various districts.

On this occasion, State Election Commissioner Dhanpat Singh, Director of Urban Local Bodies Department Yashpal Yadav, Director of Town and Country Planning Department Amit Khatri, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jhajjar Saloni Sharma, Chief Feedback Officer Mohit Soni, Gaurav Goel, Vineet Gupta, Somak Raychaudhuri and Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha including various former and current CMGGAs family’s members and other dignitaries were present.

Ashoka University is the strategic partner in the programme and has engaged to identify, train and build capacity in socially minded young professionals to work with the District Administrations in Haryana.