Srinagar, Aug 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today felicitated the winners of the Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) Awards at a ceremony held in Srinagar, urging administrators and technocrats to adopt citizen-centric approaches and embrace innovation to meet emerging challenges in governance.
Congratulating the award recipients, the Lieutenant Governor said the CIPS Awards are a recognition of transformative initiatives in health, education, information technology, rural development, and other sectors that have brought positive change to millions of lives.
“Civil servants, engineers, doctors, scientists, and technocrats are the administration’s backbone. Their impartiality, honesty, efficiency, and fearlessness are our most valuable assets. I am proud that, as a team, they have worked to serve the people and contribute to nation-building,” Sinha remarked.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for laying a strong foundation of innovative governance, which has made the administration more sensitive to citizens’ needs. “The Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ has enhanced ease of living and ensured seamless delivery of public services. Today, India is the world’s fastest-growing economy, with a bright future among the largest economies,” he said.
Emphasis on Policy, Innovation, and AI
The Lieutenant Governor urged officials to strengthen policy performance, manage complex challenges, and remain prepared for disruptive changes. “Policies cannot be drafted in offices anymore. People’s voice must be the soul of government policy. A file is not just a piece of paper—it contains the lives and future of thousands of people. The measure of any action is whether it improves the lives of ordinary citizens,” he noted.
Highlighting the role of technology, Sinha stressed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools would redefine public administration in the future, enabling better policymaking, enhanced citizen engagement, and faster delivery of services.
Showcasing Innovations and Success Stories
The LG commended District Administration Ganderbal for its environmental initiatives and highlighted changemakers like Jairaj Bhattacharya, founder of EdTech startup ConveGenius, and Swapneel Paul, Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia, Assam, for overcoming challenges to create ground-level impact.
He also called upon bureaucrats and technocrats to take innovative initiatives for solving complex social challenges. “We must develop new tools and adopt technical applications that drive change and transformation in society,” he said.
Focus on Agriculture and Welfare
Emphasizing reforms in agriculture, the LG urged officials to strengthen technology transfer from lab to land to support farmers and tackle challenges posed by climate change. He pointed out that the 29 reformative projects under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) in Jammu and Kashmir could serve as models for other states and Union Territories.
Sinha also recommended adopting the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s model to enhance the mid-day meal programme in government schools, ensuring better nutrition and outcomes for children.
Attendees
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr. N. Ramesh Kumar, Director General, Administrative Staff College of India; Dr. Valli Manickam, Director, CIPS; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary GAD; Rehana Batul, Director J&K IMPARD; besides senior administrative officials and domain experts.
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