A One-Day National Seminar on Governance Reforms at USOL

Chandigarh, March 31, 2023: The Department of Public Administration, University School of Open Learning (USOL), Panjab University, Chandigarh, organized a one-day national seminar on a very vibrant theme “Governance Reforms in Digital Era: Multidisciplinary Perspectives' today. 

The seminar began with the welcome address given by Prof Neeru, Chairperson, USOL. Dr Purva Mishra, the seminar-coordinator, presented the concept note of the event. Dr. Anil Kumar and Dr. Sucha Singh conducted the sessions. In his inaugural address, Dr P. K. Taneja, from Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, highlighted the P. M.’s vision of digital India in Amrit Kaal and touched upon the milestones of digital reforms including RTI Act, E-Governance, GST Reforms, Lateral entries in civil services, Make in India etc. The key-note speaker Prof. Sanjeev Mahajan, an ex-faculty of Public Administration, H.P. University, Shimla, deliberated upon the issue of “India on Digital: Transformations and Divide”. 

Prof Mahajan also spoke on how the use of digital technologies can be helpful in ensuring services in various sectors to the citizens of the nation and the ugly consequences of digital divides. In his presidential address, Prof B. S. Ghuman, an ex-Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, spoke on the new trends in Governance Reforms and various dimensions of digital divides including the rural and the urban. 

As many as 50 papers were presented in three technical sessions touching upon all aspects of various sub themes of digital governance, good governance, e-governance, gender issues, global governance etc. Prof Harsh Gandhar, Coordinator of Economics, USOL, proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the inaugural session. 

The valedictory session of the seminar was presided over by the registrar of Panjab University, Prof. Y. P Verma. The seminar ended with the distribution of certificates to the participants.