HP Institute of Public Administration collaborated with NSCBM Govt. College, Hamirpur in organising National Seminar on Administration and Politics for Society (NSAPS-2019) at Hamirpur on 23rd February, 2019. The seminar provided major forum for researchers, academicians and professionals to present their novel ideas in diversified areas of Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Rural Development, Sociology, Management and other fields of Social Sciences. The seminar aimed at building a network among the administrators, politicians, policy makers and academia by detecting research needs, exchanging best practices through experience. The seminar focused on the exchange of information, deliberations, cross fertilization of ideas and research outcomes to evolve ways and means to address the practical challenges encountered in all aspects of society. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Rich Verma, IAS, Dy. Commissioner, Hamirpur as Chief Guest. Dr. Hardev Singh Jamwal, Principal, Govt. College, Hamirpur in his key note address highlighted that the society is always benefited with research.  HIPA collaborated with Govt. College, Hamirpur in the form of “research support” for National Seminar. Mrs. Jyoti Rana, HAS, Joint Director, HIPA presented a talk in the National Seminar. Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Dy. Director (Research) chaired a technical session. In the National Seminar 67 research paper on  Administration and Political Science were presented by the researchers from Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and other states.  

Government of India has envisaged a policy to build a safer and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, integrated proactive multi disaster and technology driven strategy for disaster management through collective efforts of all government agencies and non-government organisations. Accordingly, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has translated this approach into National Database for Emergency management (NDEM) for taking up ameliorative measures for providing timely information and decision making in the event of disasters. NDEM essentially serves as national repository of GIS based data for entire country coupled with set of Decision Support System tools to assist the disaster managers in decision making during emergency situations. In order to enhance the capabilities of NDEM services, NDEM version 3.0 with latest technologies and additional features like real time communication from the field (Audio video chat), Resource management, Attribute updation of emergency facilities etc. has been prepared.

Keeping in view the above, Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), Disaster Management Cell, Department of Revenue in association with NDEM, Hyderabad  and DMC, HIPA organized three days  Training of Trainers (TOTs) on “Customised NDEM Version 3.0 Geo-Portal for Himachal Pradesh” from 25th to 27th February, 2018 at HIPA for for  SDMs, Tehsildars, Officers from Line Departments and Assistant IT Coordinator of all DDMAs.The main objective behind this programme was to integrate Multi-scale database elements for entire Himachal Pradesh at 1:50,000 scale and at 1:10,000 scale. This database is served as secure geospatial Web Map Services (WMS) through NDEM platform. It consists of base layers including State, district, block, village administrative boundaries and other essential layers like road, river, canal etc. The other objective of the programme was also to prepare a cadre of Master Trainers who can thereafter take Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) Data Integration in Himachal Pradesh on NDEM Portal further and also conduct these trainings in their own Subdivision and Block level in District.  

 Contents of the Programmes were The Profile of hazards in Himachal Pradesh. Prevention and Preparedness. DRR Integration; GIS Tools for Disaster Management, HRVA Portal HPSDMA (Orientation); Overview of NDEM Version 3.0, Landslide Monitoring and Warning System (Theory & practical); Demonstration of Multi-scale geospatial  Services, Hands on Session on Multi-scale  geospatial  Services; Demonstration of  HRVA Data Services, Demonstration of Disaster Specific Services, Demonstration of  DSS Tools, Demonstration of Mobile Apps, Hands on Session on DSS Tools; Sharing & Installation of Mobile Apps, Incident Reporting, Crowd Sourcing, Relief Management, Attribute Collection, Geospatial Data Collection, Geo-tagging, Hands on Session on Mobile Apps.

A research paper titled "Case Studies on Sustainable Water Management in Selected Watersheds of Himachal Pradesh" was presented (in absentia) by Sh. Pravesh Sharma, Core Faculty (Watershed Management), SIRD in the International Conference on Sustainable Management of Water Resources in India organized by Department of Economics, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu w.e.f. 22-23 February, 2019. The paper was published in the proceedings of the conference.

To make the techno-legal regime in the State sound enough and to ensure safe construction, modification in the existing laws, development control rules, byelaws, Disaster Management Centre, Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration Fairlawns, Shimla in association with Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority organized three days training  of trainers programme on “Strengthening of Techno Legal Regime to Ensure Structural Safety”  from 4th to 6th   February, 2019 for the Draftsmen of  T&CP, UD, RD, HPSEB, PWD, departments and private sectors who are registered with Town & Country Planning Department and involved in planning, designing, constructions and maintenance of buildings. This programme was attended by 21 participants. The main objective to organize this programme was to ensure safe construction by modifying the existing laws, development control rules and building byelaws and to make their use mandatory for effective techno-legal regime in the State.

The participants placed on record full satisfaction, for  the course organisation, contents and the quality of presentations made by the renowned  Faculty during various following sessions are concerned.

The contents of the programme were an Overview of Disaster Management; Mainstreaming Disaster Risks Reduction in Developmental Activities; Cost Effectiveness for Earthquake Resistance Houses in Hilly Area; Quality Building Material and other major Specifications for Civil Works in H.P.; The Planning Scenario: Contents, Needs,  and Process, Land Use Classifications; Critical Area of Concern in the Planning Process  w.r.  to  Seismic Response ;  Designing and Planning  of Buildings as per  Seismic Codes; Techno-Legal- Regime for Structural Safety; T & C P Act & Urban Planning in the Context of H.P; Responsibility of Authorities & Professionals in Compliance of Building Bye-laws; Role of Draftsmen to Provide Seismically Safe Built Environment to the Residents.           

A Training Programme on Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) was organised for Gazetted & Non Gazetted officials of State Government from 07-02-2019 to 08-02-2019. The course was attended by 12 participants including Principals, Sr. Asstt. and Clerks. The course contents included the topics viz. eSalary, ePension, e-Chalan,  myGPF, HimKosh, eBudget ,  eVitran, Bill Register, Monthly Expenditure Report, Budget Sanctioned Letters, eBhugtan , NPS,  Mobile Apps, Preparation of GPF bills, Salary,  DA Arrear Bills (HPTR-2) & eKosh. Specialized resource persons from NIC were the Experts/Faculty for the said course.

A training programme on Noting & Drafting was organised from 04.02.2019 to 06.02.2019  for 3 days. The course was attended by 24 participants including  Clerks, Junior Assistants, Senior Assistants, JOAs (IT), JOAs (Accounts)etc.The course contents included topics on Noting- a key to the decision making in Government; Drafting various types of Communications; Exercises on Noting/Drafting; Record Management etc. There were two exclusive sessions one for noting and another for drafting practical. Besides this, a quiz on noting and group discussion were also organised during last day afternoon session.The participants highly appreciated the course, however,  they suggested that the duration of the course be increased and more emphasis be given on practicals.

In this digital era, Information and Communication Technology plays a vital role in the Planning & Management, Efficient Office Management, Financial Transactions and much more. In this context, a training course on ICT was organized by the Institute from11.02.2019 to 15.02.2019 which was attended by 41 participants of different departments. During the sessions, the major deliberations were taken place on “Data Collection”, “Data analysis”, “Information dissemination”, “eGovernance & Digital India Programme”, “Enabling Digital Payments in Rural India”, “eWaste Management” and “Cyber Security”.

Empowerment includes the action of raising the status of women through education, awareness, literacy, and training. Women's empowerment is all about equipping and allowing women to make life-determining decisions through the different problems in society.

Keeping in view the above  ideology in mind , a three days training programme on “Women Empowerment” sponsored by Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, has been organized by Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, Shimla From 21st to 23rd February, 2019 at fairlawn for Officers/Officials of different government departments of Himachal Pradesh. The main objective behind this programme was to strengthen and sensitize, especially women according to their professional requirements and encourage them to grow further in life. The other objectives of the programme was to develop understanding of gender related concepts and to acquaint the participants with the prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace. The contents of the programme included Gender  concept (What & Why Gender), Inequality: Needs, Issues and Concerns; Gender Profile of Himachal Pradesh;   How to Attain Social, Physical Logical and Economic Empowerment of Women; Role of SHGs in Development of Women; The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013.) Provisions & Issues; Constitutional Amendment Made for Women Empowerment; Importance and Role of Education in Women Empowerment; Various Programmes and Schemes Launched and Implemented by the Central and  State  Government to Support Women Empowerment; IT Tools in Women Empowerment & Digital Literacy  Mapping.

Over the three days, the participants from the various departments were exposed to and deliberated on concepts, issues and challenges of women empowerment.  Throughout the programme the participants showed a high degree of responsiveness to and engagement with the topics and faculty, exposing the need for such a platform to bring together different perspectives in governance and create a common ground for concrete action for going forward. Entry and exit level questionnaires were administered to the participants in order to gauge the level of learning in the three days. From these, it was clear that the participants understood the concepts, issues and the programme has brought the clarity in their doubts and made them think about their roles and responsibilities in women empowerment

The course was orgnaised from 25-27 February, 2019 at HIPA which included Film on RTI Act-2005, an overview of Right to Information Act, 2005, Case Studies, Powers and responsibilities of PIOs/APIOs. Proactive Disclosure and Record , Powers of FAAs, Discussions on Important Judgments, Order writing under RTI Act 2005,Implementation of RTI Act in the State, Difficulties in disposing of RTI Application, And suggestions thereof. PSG Act-2011 & PSG rules 2011, Office procedure, Noting & Drafting, and record management. This training programme 14 participants from different departments of the state.

A Training Programme on HIPA Online Training Registration Software was organised for Nodal Officers & Dealing Assistants of various State Government Departments on 02.02.2019. The course was attended by 89 participants with the use of software, various departments and individuals employee can nominate for various training programmes organised in the Institute.  It is linked with E-Service Book. All the record of attended programmes will also reflect in the individual service book of employees.