Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh inaugurated the Second Annual Conference of Chief Secretaries of States here today. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister said that quality of delivery of services needs to be improved. Observing that corruption strikes at the roots of good governance and is an impediment to faster growth, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that corruption is a challenge, which has to be faced frontally, boldly and quickly. A GoM has been set up to look into all measures, legal or administrative, to tackle the menace. Along with legislation the necessary revamp of administrative practices and procedures needs to be fast-tracked, he added. The Prime Minister said that by working together vast improvements in governance can be brought about.

Shri V.Narayanasamy, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, in his address said that there is a convergence of viewpoint that we need an ethics infrastructure consisting of transparency, accountability and integrity as a keystone of good governance. In this respect, Right to Information Act, 2005 has been a major success and is seen as a powerful tool for bringing objectivity and reducing corruption.

Shri Narayanasamy said that the Government of India and the States have stepped up e-governance initiatives in a big way. This has helped in improving public service delivery in many areas. New models of partnership with private and voluntary sectors need to be encouraged in a fair and objective manner, he said.

The Minister said that “Lokpal Bill” at the Centre is under active consideration. States have also been requested to consider the recommendations regarding Lokayukt and Vigilance Commission. States have also been requested to consider creation of “Ombudsman”, at local level. A new Civil Services Bill is under finalization, which will include Civil Service values, Code of Ethics and Conduct etc. All India Service (AIS) Conduct Rules are also being revised to include integrity and avoidance of conflict interest. A “Code of Ethics for Regulators” is also being finalized, he said.

Shri Narayanasamy said tht the flagship programmes need a re-look in terms of policy framework and execution through integration of local self government units, IT enablement, convergence of funds and schemes and social accountability throu7gh devolution and empowerment. This would go a long way ton ensure proper utilization of funds and reduce corruption at various levels, he felt. The Minister said that the Centre and States are co-partners in the process of nation building. This Conference provides a forum for free and frank exchange of views and ideas between them, and act as a catalyst for speeding up decision making in many critical areas.

Cabinet Secretary, Shri K.M. Chandrashekhar in his welcome address said that decisions taken by bureaucrats should not be judged in hind-sight but with due regard to the extant situation. This he felt was necessary to ensure that they perform without fear or prejudice.

The two-day conference organised by DARPG has institutionalised the process of interaction between Centre and States. It will deliberate on Transparency and Ethics in Governance and the area of concern in some Flagship Programmes of the government like Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Programme; PM’s Gram Sadak Yojana; Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. There will also be sessions on Internal Security and Results Framework Document(RFD) Initiative.