Governor N.N Vohra, chaired the valedictory function which marked the conclusion of the first phase Foundation Course training of the Junior Scale Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service Officers at the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPA), here today. Dr. Arun Kumar,Vice-Chairman cum Director General, IMPA, received the Governor.
The Governor observed that for achieving speedy growth and development in the country the efficient functioning of the civil services is of vital importance to delivering good governance. He urged the young officers to get closely involved with the problems faced by the people living in the rural and urban areas of the State, wherever they were posted, and work with devotion, commitment, efficiency, accountability and visible honesty to alleviate the lot of the poor and the down-trodden and devote particular attention to the difficulties faced by the neglected segments of society who live in remote, backward and unconnected areas of the State.
Stressing that there should be a set mechanism for continuous capacity building of the Civil Services cadres in the State, the Governor observed that the State Government should make urgent arrangement, on the pattern of the Government of India, for IMPA organizing In-Service and Mid-Career Training Programmes.
The Governor observed that for changing the existing pattern of training to the futuristic paradigm, the continuous training of officers is critical from the perspective of bringing about socio-economic and political transformation. He said that the demands arising out of the globalization of the Indian economy require officers to pickup new skills and concepts and also ensure their effective application.
The Governor said that in recent years, more and more women are joining the civil services and this is immensely satisfying. He said that women form 50 percent of our population and there can be no development without considering their capacity building and well-being.
The Governor told the probationers that they are truly privileged as they have been charged with the responsibility of contributing to a development process which must be equitable, sustainable and which reduces disparities between the various sections of our society. He wished all the probationers high success in meeting these challenges.
The Governor expressed surprise to know that the probationers are not paid any stipend and have not only to make their own board, lodging and transport arrangements but also shift from one training centre to another in their entire training programme. He observed that he would be taking up these issues with the Chief Minister at his next meeting with him.