A meeting of the MCTP Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. C.P. Verma, IAS, Director, H.P. Institute of Public Administration was held on 26th June, 2019 at HIPA to discuss the Mid-Career Training Programme for HPAS Officers.  The meeting was attended by Sh. Amarjeet Singh, Special Secy. (Personnel) to the Govt. of HP; Sh. D.C. Rana,  Special Secretary to Chief Minister, HP; Sh. Virender Sharma,  Joint Secretary (Housing) to the Govt. of HP; Mrs. Jyoti Rana, HAS, Joint Director, HIPA; Sh. Neeraj Goel, Sr. Technical Director (NIC), HIPA and Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Dy. Director (Research). At the outset, the Chairman welcomed all the members of the committee and gave a brief introduction about the mid career training programme followed in the Indian Administrative Services and the State Civil Services in different states. The idea of introduction about the mid career training programme for HPAS officers was mooted keeping in view similar training programmes implemented by the states of Madhaya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharshtra and a few other states. These training programmes were studied and it was thought appropriate to introduce mid career training programme for the HP Administrative Services with latest emerging trends with a view to update the skills, aptitude and attitude. The committee discussed all the terms of reference i.e. duration, module/contents, competencies aimed at, method of evaluation, benefit of career progression and funding for MCTP.  The committee decided to send its recommendations to the Government.

State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) under the aegis of  Himachal Institute of Public Administration organized a National Conference on “Accelerating Rural Growth:  New Technologies, Innovations and Entrepreneurship” at Fairlawn Shimla on 15.06.2019. Sh. C.P. Verma, IAS, Director, HIPA was the Chief Guest in inaugural session. Ms. Jyoti Rana, HAS, Jt. Director HIPA also addressed the august gathering and welcomed the participants at Apex Training Institute of the state.  The aim of the conference was to bring together the researchers, young students, and practitioners for deliberating on the various dimensions of Rural Growth.

The theme of the workshop was “Accelerating Rural Growth:  New Technologies, Innovations and Entrepreneurship” which covered major sub-themes on ICT in Rural Development, Entrepreneurship development in rural areas, Social, Economic & Environmental concerns of development, rural infrastructure development, innovation & technological development.

About 25 delegates from different regions of India participated in the deliberations and 18 research papers were presented in two technical sessions.

Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Deputy Director (Research), HIPA Shimla and Dr. Prabhat Mittal, Assistant Professor Delhi University were the Conveners of the National Conference.  Ms. Jyoti Rana, HAS, Jt. Director, HIPA chaired the Valedictory Session, gave away the certificates to the participants.  Sh. Satish Sharma, Joint Director (Research & Training) SIRD, HIPA presented the vote of thanks. The Faculty members of HIPA were also present in the deliberations.

National Institute of Disaster Management New, Delhi in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration Fairlawn, Shimla  organized five days  Training Programme on “Earthquake Risk Mitigation and Management for Safer Built Environment” from June 10-14, 2019  at HIPA. The main objectives of this programme was  to sensitize, promote and institutionalize issues concerning performance of buildings for earthquake risk mitigation at State level and  also sensitize the participants on various issues concerning earthquake risk mitigation and importance of building codes in mitigating the impact of an earthquake.

                        This programme was attended by 29 participants. The target group for this programme were  senior and middle level functionaries (Executive and Assistant Engineers) of the State Government involved in planning, designing, construction and maintenance of buildings and representing various departments including PWD, Rural Development, Municipalities, HIMUDA, UD, T&CP, HPSEB & Tourism.

The contents of the programme covered:-  Basic concepts of earthquake risk mitigation with special reference to H.P.; Earthquake, phenomenon, causes and consequences; School and Hospital Preparedness for Earthquake Risk Mitigation; Earthquake induced damage– an overview; What might go wrong during earthquake – a vulnerability check of built environment in Shimla; Structural and non-structural approaches for seismic risk mitigation; RVS of buildings for earthquake safety; Disaster Risk Management Programme of Government of HP; Hazard profile of Himachal Pradesh; Field visit to  Local  area for RVS of buildings for developing earthquake safety plan; Retrofitting Techniques for earthquake risk mitigation; Group work Presentation and discussion on vulnerability of buildings. The participants placed on record full satisfaction, so far as  the course organisation, contents and the quality of presentations made by the renowned  Faculty during various following sessions are concerned.

Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Dy. Director (Research) delivered a session on Research Problem and Qualitative & Quantitative Research at NIT Hamirpur, HP in the in MHRD (IMPRESS Scheme) & ICSSR New Delhi sponsored National Workshop on Research Methodology & Data Analysis (RMDA 2019).

The training program from 24-26th June, 2019 was attended by 35 No. of participants from different Departments of State Government. The participants were a mix of Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Govt. Servants. The objective of this training program was to make participants well conversant with Constitutional Provisions i.e Art.309-311 of the Indian Constitution, CCS(Conduct) Rules 1964, CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965, Penalties for violation of conduct rules and effects of penalties on pay and other benefits of Govt. Servant. Case Studies were also discussed in order to give participants the insight into decision making process in respect of imposition of penalty.

The training programme from 18-22, June 2019 was attended by 59 No. of participants from different Departments of State Government. The participants were a mix of Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Govt. Servants. The objective of this training programme is to make participants well conversant with various rules applicable in the State for discharging their duties effectively and efficiently. This programme provided an insight into Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules, Himachal Pradesh Financial Rules, 2009, Budgetary Process, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, National Pension System. In this training programme the practical session on Pay Fixation, Pension, Leave Rules and TA Rules was also scheduled in order to improve the skills of participants.

One special session was conducted on Financial Literacy by SEBI where participants were made aware of various financial frauds.   

The DoPT, GoI has laid emphasis on Trainer Development Programme and in this series, the Institute has organized a training on Training Skills, Techniques and Methodology for the Officers/Officials who are involved in the training functions. A total of 14 participants attended the programme during 18.06.2019 to 22.06.2019 at Fairlawns, Shimla. During the programme, the discussions were carried out an Systematic Approach to Training, Identifying Performance Problem, Role of entry behavior in training programmes, Training methods & techniques like Case Studies, Participatory Training Techniques, Lecture method, Leading a Discussion, Experiential learning etc. Participants actively presented the case study method and wonderfully participated in World Cafe training method. Moreover, The participants also learned to design a programme and for the post training activities, they also learned the mentoring skills and assured the faculty to implement the same in near future.

On the invitation of Doordarshan, Shimla Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Dy. Director (Research) participated as Guest Speaker in the Manzil programme which focused on Employment Opportunities to Youth through Rural Development. During the programme, detailed information was shared in the live telecast programme on Employment Opportunities provided to Rural Youth in different programmes run by Development Departments. The arena was extended from wage employment, self employment, public vigilance and cluster approach for livelihood options available in Rural Development sector.  

The training program from 18-20th June, 2019 was attended by 48 No. of participants from different Departments of State Government. The participants were a mix of Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Govt. Servants. The objective of this training program is to make participants well conversant with the various provisions under Office Manual for internal decision making and communication of decision through various forms/mediums of communication. Special focus was laid on drafting skills.

A three days training course on Excellence in Public Service Delivery System under “Sevottam” programme  was organised in the Institute w.e.f. 13.06.2019 to 15.06.2019.  This training course was attended by  11 participants who were Horticulture Extension Officer, Horticulture Development Officer of Horticulture Department, SMS of Agriculture, Principals, Superintendents  and Clerk etc.  from different departments of the government.

The course comprised three modules viz  preparation of Sevottam compliant citizen charter, Grievance Redressal Mechanism and Capability building of the organisation under Sevottam framework to achieve excellence in public service delivery system in the departments/organizations of the govt. The majority of the participants rated the course and performance of the Faculties as Excellent & Very Good.  The Resource persons who interacted with the participants in this course  were Sh. H.K. Sharma, Controller (F&A) Retd.,  Ms. Uvi Tyagi, OSD Directorate of Health, Sh. K.R. Bharti, I.A.S.(Retd.), besides Sh. K.R. Negi (Course Director)