Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh Sunday said that amid technological boom across the world, the current dispensation is aiming to make use of latest technological interventions to promote good governance.Speaking at ‘Good Governance Day’ function organized by Government Higher Secondary School, Billawar, Dr Singh said simplifying procedures and processes in the government is one of the easiest ways to ensure good governance. “Likewise, technology is an empowering tool for the citizens and an accountability medium for the government,” Dr Singh said.The Deputy Chief Minister was the chief guest of the programme. Dr Singh said that Good Governance Day is being observed on Dec 25, to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose birthday falls on the same day. “It was the dream of Vajpayee Ji to provide corruption free, equitable and accountable governance to the people and hence, it is our moral duty to work towards realizing this dream,” he said.The Deputy Chief Minister said that demonetization and cashless economy have special significance in realizing the goal of self governance.
He also added that by launching PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana) and by transferring cash directly to the bank account of beneficiaries we are inching a step closer to good governance. He further mentioned that every stakeholder must work diligently to make one of the villages of Tehsil Billawar a cashless village. "Technology can bridge the divide between the government and the citizens and it should be used to deliver services efficiently," said Dr Singh.Making a strong pitch for providing good governance to people, Deputy Chief Minister said that ‘Citizen-first' is our mantra, our motto and our guiding principle. It has been our dream to bring government closer to our citizens, so that they become active participants in the governance process," Dr Singh added. The Smart Local Governance includes political and active participation, citizen services as well as the smart functioning of the administration. PSGA (Public Service Guarantee Act) and RTI (Right To Information) are important tools to be used under the purview of good governance, DyCM stated. Later, the Dr Singh administered a pledge on good governance to all the participants. ADC Kathua Dr Bharat Bhushan, SDM Billawar, Tehsildars, BDOs, SDPO, BMO, Principal Govt. Hr. Sec. School Billawar and members of civil society were present on the occasion.