The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), an autonomous institution under the Government of India, has initiated its second training program on Public Policy and Governance for 39 Civil Servants from Cambodia. Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the two-week program, running from December 27, 2023, to January 6, 2024, aims to strengthen bilateral ties and foster regional cooperation with Cambodia.
V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reform and Public Grievances (DARPG), chaired the inaugural session. He emphasized the role of technology in effective governance, citing PM Modi’s mantra of “Minimum Government and Maximum Governance.” Srinivas expressed the program’s goal to build a robust relationship between India and Cambodia through such initiatives. The training program, designed in alignment with Indian Administrative Service capacity-building programs, focuses on technological advancements for citizen empowerment, accountability, and transparency.
The program covers various aspects of the governance landscape, including e-office adoption for streamlined bureaucratic processes, efforts in pensioners’ empowerment, and initiatives to enhance government-citizen interactions. Srinivas highlighted India’s global recognition in digital transformation, particularly during the G20, showcasing a shared commitment to global digital progress. He urged officers to study successful Indian governance models and adapt them to local needs.
Chheng Vannarith, Deputy Director General, expressed gratitude for the training program, anticipating that the exposure would enhance Cambodian civil servants’ ability to provide better services and contribute to achieving good governance. Dr. B.S Bisht, the course coordinator, outlined the program, covering topics such as Changing Paradigm of Governance, Ethics in Administration, Digital Governance, and Smart and Sustainable Cities. The course includes visits to various entities, including the Smart City Project, Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) Dehradun, District Ghaziabad, AIIMS, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalya New Delhi, concluding with a visit to the Taj Mahal.
The NCGG, established in 2014, is mandated to train civil servants from India and other countries. The 2nd Training Programme on Public Policy and Governance is supervised and coordinated by Dr. B. S. Bisht, the course coordinator for Cambodia, along with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, co-course coordinator, Brijesh Bisht, and the NCGG capacity-building team. Over the years, the NCGG has successfully trained officers from various nations, contributing to their skill enhancement and fostering international collaboration.
