Mukherjee stresses on adoption of good governance practices

President Pranab Mukherjee has stressed on adoption of good governance practices across the entire government machinery to bring the benefits of development programmes to the people.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Indian Institute of Public Administration here yesterday, he said: "In a country with the size and complexity of ours, a pragmatic requirement and not any utopian thought, is to take administration closer to grassroots through decentralization of power and decision-making. To enable people to be truly involved in formulating and implementing development plans that will shape their future, it is necessary that proper functioning in panchayati raj institutions prevail."

The President further stated that if we have to achieve a faster growth trajectory, there has to be equal urgency in decision-making. But that does not imply that decisions have to be taken in haste or without adequate debate and discussion. It only implies that there should be no undue delay in decision-making and delivery of services.

He said that we have to transform our public administration into a dynamic and result oriented entity. "Public services are critical for making India globally competitive. In this context, the role of IIPA and other similar institutions attains great significance," he added.

Mukherjee said there is a need to develop and impart a broad outlook among public servants.

"It is satisfactory to note that IIPA has assigned critical importance to social sector issues, behavioural sciences, ethical administration, urban habitat management, environmental and climate studies, gender policy and budgeting, knowledge management, and e-governance in its training curricula. Though IIPA has done commendable work, there is much more that can be done to increase the importance as a catalyst for change in public administration. It should also make ethical governance the central focus in its training calendar," he added.

The President said there should be urgency in decision-making to achieve faster economic growth.

He, however, said decisions should not be taken in haste or without adequate debate and discussion.

"If we have to achieve a faster growth trajectory, there has to be equal urgency in decision-making. But that does not imply that decisions have to be taken in haste or without adequate debate and discussion. It only implies that there should be no undue delay in decision-making and delivery of services," he said.