Himachal Institute of Public Administration organized an International Conference on “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Opportunities and Challenges in 2030 Agenda” at Fairlawn Shimla on 15th March, 2019. The aim of the conference was to bring together the young students, researchers and practitioners for deliberating on the various dimensions of SDGs and roadmap to achieve it by 2030. Sh. Anil Kumar Khachi, IAS, ACS (Planning & Finance), Govt. of H.P. was the Chief Guest in inaugural session. About 60 delegates from different regions of India and abroad (Mozambique, Togo, Malawi and Afghanistan) participated in the deliberations and 36 research papers were presented in the three technical sessions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as 'Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development', are an intergovernmental set of 17 aspiration goals with 169 targets that were adopted in September, 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and the same has been signed and adopted by the Government of India. NITI AAYOG is coordinating SDGs at the national level whereas the Planning Department is the Nodal department for SDGs in H.P.

In his inaugural speech, Sh. Anil Kumar Khachi said that the NITI Aayog has ranked Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala as top performing states to comply with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in its first of its kind India Index for SDGs released December 2018. He also informed that the mapping of SDGs have been done so as to have a better sync in state budget every year. Himachal envisages achieving the most of targets by 2022.

In his Keynote Speech Dr. Basu Sood, Advisor Planning delved into the various dimensions of the sustainable Development and its growing significance beyond environment towards more social and economic sectors. Joint Director of HIPA Ms. Jyoti Rana also addressed the august gathering and welcomed the participants in state’s Apex Administrative Training Institute. Conference Coordinators, Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Deputy Director (Research), HIPA Shimla and Dr. Prabhat Mittal, Assistant Professor Delhi University presented the detail about technical sessions. Valedictory Session was chaired by Dr. Nipun Jindal, IAS, Special Secretary (Health) to the H.P. Faculty members of HIPA were also present in the deliberations. Sh. Satish Sharma, Joint Director (Research & Training) SIRD, HIPA presented the vote of thanks.

A Training of Trainers Programme on “Biodiversity Governance” was organized during 11th to 13th March 2019 at SIRD-HIPA in collaboration with NIRD&PR, Hyderabad and  National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai.

Total 48 officials representing seven States (Viz., Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand) participated in the programme. Participants were drawn from various departments included Forest Officials, representatives of State Biodiversity Boards, Research Officers, Research Assistants and Academicians from various Universities.

Sh. D.C. Rana, HAS, Special Secretary (Environment, Science & Technology) inaugurated the event with his inaugural speech, where he emphasized upon the importance of biodiversity and its strict implementation plan at BMC level. The ToT Programme comprised three modules.

A panel discussion on future strategies was Chaired by Sh. B. D. Suyal, IFS, M.D. Forest Corp. H.P. and Dr. S. P. Bhardwaj, Associate Director (Retd) UHF, Nauni Research Station which was moderated by Dr. Ravindra S. Gavali and Sh. Pravesh Kumar, highlighted the importance of PRIs in motivating the village community in judicious and sustainable use of Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity of the Gram Panchayat. The programme was appreciated by the participants for addressing the relevant issues of formation of BMC,  reparation of PBR, Linking of PRIs with Biodiversity and facilitating resource envelop for fund mobilization towards enhancing and sustaining gram panchayat biodiversity and natural resources.

A two days Workshop for the Master Trainers from all the Polytechnic Colleges/IITs/HPPWD/Rural Development in association with Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority was organized on “Earthquake Resistance Constructions” on 28th, 29th  March, 2019” at HIPA. The objective behind this programme was  to  prepare a cadre of Master Trainers who can further provide training to the Masons at  their own Subdivision, Block and Panchayat/Ward level in Earthquake Resistant Constructions to ensure the structure safety in the State .  

This workshop was attended by 58 Participates representing all the Districts of the State. This workshop was inaugurated by the Mrs. Manisha Nanda, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Rev.& PWD) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh. She shared that Himachal Pradesh is prone to various types of disasters as the whole State lies in Zone IV & V. Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Himachal Pradesh launched a scheme to provide trainings to the masons and other construction workers at the grass root level. Out of the trainees of this programme, who are willing to work as a master trainer for providing further training to the masons at Panchayat level they have to  participate in  another similar ToT programme at CBRI, Rourke.

The contents of the programme were  Hazard vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh-AN overview; CSIR-CBRI Initiative of Skill development for Construction Industry; Earthquake, wind and snow resistant design of houses; Demonstration of Earthquake Resistant Construction Buildings in hilly region; Short Film: Realizing the Housing Dream of Nation; Earthquake Risk Mitigation &  Management; Design of Confined Masonry Buildings in Earthquake Zone IV & V; Failure Analysis & Retrofitting of Earthquake Affected Buildings in the Hills of Himachal Pradesh; Quality Assurance in Construction of Earthquake Resistant Structures; Discussions  with reference to further strategies the programme on Masons training in Himachal Pradesh

A one day Workshop on Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 was organized by Urban Development Department. It was attended by 140 participants from major stakeholder departments and the officials of urban local bodies of the state. Chief Secretary to the GoHP was the Chief Guest and sensitized the entire gathering about the proper implementation of these rules. Sh. Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development also deliberated on the issues of waste management across the state. Director UD, RD, TCP, Pollution Control and Commissioners of Shimla and Dharamshala MC also deliberated on the issue.

The State Govt. constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of Director, HIPA to suggest Mid Career Training Programme for HAS officers in the State. The terms of the reference of the committee include working out the duration, modules/contents, competencies that MCTP would aim at. The other members of the committee include Special Secretary (Personnel), to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh or his representative; Sh. D.C. Rana, Special Secretary to Chief Minister;  Sh. Virender Sharma, Joint Secretary (Housing); representative of Director, LBSNAA; Sh. Neeraj Goel, Sr. Technical Director (NIC) at HIPA; Dr. Rajeev Bansal, Deputy Director (Research)  and Joint Secretary (Training & Finance) as Member Secretary. The committee has also be entrusted the responsibility to work out the method of evaluation after completion of MCPT beside suggesting benefit of career progression to be linked with successful completion of MCPT. The committee has to submit its report within a period of three weeks.       

A Research Study on Impact of “Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana” has been undertaken by the Institute as per the requirement of ESOMSA Department. The study will look into the impact of Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana implemented in two villages every year having the highest concentration of SCs population in Non-Tribal constituencies, selected for development into Model Villages (Adarsh Gram) every year, in each Vidhan Sabha Constituency, except where the Centrally sponsored scheme “Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna” is already in operation in Himachal Pradesh. The coverage period will be 2011-12 to 2014-15 since the guidelines specify that performance of the scheme in terms of achievement the targets will be undertaken at the end of third year of the MMAGY implementation. The study design will include analysis of the impact of MMAGY Scheme in terms of status of Adarsh (Model) vision, selection of villages, utilization of funds, physical infrastructure created and satisfaction level people of the identified villages. The study has been decided to be undertaken in collaboration with Delhi University within a time period of 100 days. 

One day state level workshop for First Appellate Authorities were organised on dated 6th of March 2019, sponsored by DoPT Govt of India New Delhi. This workshop was chaired by Hon’ble State Chief Information Commissioner Sh. Narinder Chauhan and Hon’ble State Information Commissioner Sh. Sushil Chandra Siravastava. During this workshop 46 First Appellate Authorities/Nodal Officer/and PIOs of different government department of the state were present.

HIPA in collaboration with Department of Management and Humanities, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, HP completed a Research Study on “Impact of Government to Citizens e-governance Services from Govt. to Citizens” in Himachal Pradesh. The study was given to NIT, Hamirpur to look into the impact of e-governance Services from Govt. to Citizens implemented in Himachal Pradesh in relation to IT policy of HP. The coverage period was 2016-17. The study design included analysis of the impact of e-governance services on citizens in terms of services availed by them. The specific objectives of the study covered to study the awareness, access and availability of e-governance services to citizens in comparison State IT Policy; to examine, analyse and report the access, delivery and effectiveness of services including the quality and quantity aspects through e-governance; to suggest measures for improvement and effective implementation of e-governance services on the basis of findings. The study was undertaken in the State of Himachal Pradesh on the basis of the random sampling techniques with the criteria for sample selection from all the three administrative divisions of Himachal Pradesh viz. Kangra, Mandi and Shimla with two sub divisions one with high and other will low usage of e governance services from each division was taken up. The study analysed and reported the access, delivery and effectiveness of services to citizens through e-Governance. In addition to this, the study suggested measures for improvement and effective implementation of e-governance services in the Himachal Pradesh.

The Institute sceduled four training programmes on ICDS-CAS for Women & Child Development Department in the month of March & April, 2019. The course was attended by total 279 participants including Supervisors & Aanganwari Workers. The course contents included the topics Goals & Objective of CAS, Responsibilities of Master Trainer, Household Management, AWC Management and Introduction MPR, ASR etc. CAS (Common Application Software) is used by the Supervisor and Aanganwari workers  for data management and daily office work. the software has eight modules related with Family Management, Daily Diet, Child Growth, Aananwari Centre Management and MPR list. Specialized resource persons from CARE INDIA delivered the lectured during programmes.

A training programme on Disciplinary Proceedings and Conduct Rules applicable to civil services was organised from 28.3.19 to 30.3.19 for 3 days. The course was attended by 19 participants including Gazetted & Non-Gazetted Government servants of HP. The course included the discussions on Constitutional Provisions related to Civil Service, Central Civil Service, Central Civil Service (Conduct Rules) 1964, Suspension, Reinstatement, Entitlements during suspension, Contemplating Disciplinary Proceeding, Framing of Charge Sheet, CCS (CCA) Rule, 1965, Implementation Issues in Imposition of Penalties, and Effects of penalty on pay. The course contents were highly appreciated by the participants.          

The Institute has organized five training programmes on GPDP for Gram Panchayat Pradhans of Himachal Pradesh except district of Lahaul Spiti. The programmes were organized during 20.2.2019 to 22.2.2019, 5.3.2019 to 7.3.2019, 11.3.2019 to 13.03.2019, 14.3.2019 to 16.3.2019 and 18.3.2019 to  20.03.2019 The Gram Panchayat Pradhans were acquainted to "Development Plan of Gram Panchayat", "MIS & Geo-tagging", "Convergence" etc. The participants appreciated the programmes and ensured to implement the same in their respective areas.

The course was organsied from 11-13th March, 2019 which included 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 and attened by 13 participants from different departments of the state.

Institute has organized a training on “Statistics and Data Management in Development Sector” during 18.03.2019 to 20.03.2019. The programme was attended by 20 participants of different departments. the participants actively participated in the programme and discussions were carried out on Data and it's role in Government setup, Data Collection and Electronic Data Processing, SPSS, Report Writing, Data Processing etc.