Address at the inauguration of the 3rd Combined Probationary Training Programme (CPTP 3) at YASHADA, Pune
Address by Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the inauguration of the 3rd Combined Probationary Training Programme (CPTP 3) for State Civil Service officers at YASHADA, Pune at 10.30 AM on Monday 2 May 2016
Shri Bhagwan Sahai, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Limaye, Director General YASHADA, Shri Dnyandev Talule, Course Director, Smt Mrinalini Nimabalkar, Assistant Professor, dear officers,
I am pleased to be here to congratulate you and to wish you well, as you embark on a new journey of public service through the administrative service.
It is not easy to get into the group A of State government service, especially because thousands of graduates are competing for a few hundred posts and only the best ones get selected.
I congratulate you for being chosen for the prestigious State Civil services. Your success will enhance your own confidence in you. Importantly, it will make your families, friends, the people of your native place and your Alma Mater proud of you.
I would especially like to compliment those of you who have reached here overcoming poverty and various other obstacles in pursuing education.
I am glad to note that a good number of women officers have been selected in this batch. My special congratulations to them.
The Combined Training Programme is a welcome step as it will foster the feeling of friendship among all officers and result in proper coordination in administration. Over the next two years, you will be provided exposure to work in various organisations. I am confident that this training will contribute to improving the quality of governance and administration at all levels in the State.
I have visited YASHADA three to four times. I like the beautiful ambience they have created here. Mark my word. You will remember this place, these friends and this period of your career, all your life.
YASHADA is a premier training institute in the country, and we are really proud of the institution. YASHADA has served the interests of government and society in many ways.
I congratulate the Board of Governors, the Director General and the faculty of YASHADA for their efforts in building this great institution into a model training institution in the entire country.
Friends,
Only yesterday, the State of Maharashtra celebrated the 56th anniversary of its formation. While unveiling the map of Samyukta Maharashtra on the midnight of 30th April, the then Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru had called upon the people of Maharashtra to serve ‘Samyukta Bharat’ through ‘Samyukta Maharashtra’.
During the last 56 years, Maharashtra has made spectacular progress in terms of economic and human development. We have succeeded in improving the standards of living of our people as reflected by various indicators of socio-economic development.
However we still have many challenges before us including poverty, unemployment and uneven levels of development among various regions of the State.
The State is also facing a new set of challenges on account of drought in Marathwada and a few other talukas for the last four consecutive years. The drought has affected millions of farmers and other ordinary people whose survival depends on agricultural economy.
People have great expectations from the government and as officers of the State government, you will be called upon to meet these expectations.
The institution of bureaucracy was there even during the colonial British rule. But the purpose of bureaucracy then was to perpetuate the colonial rule and serve the economic and political interests of the colonial masters.
As officers of the great State of Maharashtra in a free and democratic India, you will have to remember that the purpose of bureaucracy is to achieve ‘Antyodaya’ – to work for the welfare of the last person in society through democracy. The essence of democracy is to serve public interest.
Friends,
The demographic profile of the nation is changing. We have the largest youthful population in the world. By 2020, the average age of an Indian will be 29 years, that is 8 years younger than the average age of a Chinese or an American.
I want to caution you that young India is restless and assertive. Young India wants an administration that will support free enterprise and industry. Young India is conscious of its rights and expects efficient and quick delivery of services from the government.
As you are aware, the Government has enacted the ‘Right to Public Services Act’ that mandates the state government and its agencies to deliver designated services in a stipulated time.
Of the notified 319 services guaranteed under the Right to Services Act, more than 156 services have been made available online and the remaining services will be made available online by 2nd October 2016. You will have to play a critical role in bringing all service closer to the people.
In the years to come, we would not want citizens to visit government offices. We want our services to reach citizens.
I dream of a day when we will develop a mobile app to deliver all services to people through the app.
Last week I inaugurated an online application developed by the Tribal Development Department that is going to facilitate caste certificate validation of people belonging to scheduled tribes through the portal. We want such innovations in all departments to make administration pro-people and people friendly.
The future of any country is shaped by the values imbibed by the youth.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel while referring to the All -India Services in the constituent assembly said: “You will not have a united India if you do not have a good All- India service which has independence to speak out its mind.”
What applies to the All-India Services applies equally to you all. So you have to be courageous while giving your opinion and advice. But I would like to advice you not to bear a negative attitude while dealing with issues coming for your consideration.
I will urge you to uphold and cherish the moral and ethical values that have been imbibed on you by parents and educational institutions.
The Government has been implementing various futuristic programmes that have the potential to empower the common man and make our development process faster and inclusive.
I want you to give your best for the success of the Digital India, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Skill India, Start up India, Smart Cities Mission and other national programmes.
As Governor, I have a special responsibility in respect of the administration in the scheduled areas under Schedule V of the Constitution. Glaring disparity exists between the levels of development in the scheduled areas and other areas.
I want you to volunteer to work in rural and tribal areas. Through your passion and commitment, you can make a difference to their lives.
Friends,
The government service will guarantee you regular pay rise and assured promotions. But you must remember that the farmers and the ordinary workers of this country are not entitled to these benefits. You must therefore give your very best to society and to the people.
I have an appeal to you. Remain committed to every place where you are posted. You must visit these places occasionally, even after you are transferred elsewhere, to see whether and how these places have changed.
As I said, people have many expectations from the government. As face of the government, you will have to remember that every file you will deal with, may, directly or indirectly, impact the welfare of the poorest of the poor in the social strata. Be humane, be kind to people and be compassionate to the poor.
Before I conclude, I want to appeal to you, once again, to maintain a positive attitude and highest standards of ethics, morality and integrity.
I am sure, the combined programme will help you to develop leadership qualities, build lasting friendship across services, develop core competencies and enable you to work as a team.
I wish you the very best as you embark on a new innings of responsibility, of service to society. Thank you.
Jai Hind Jai Maharashtra !!