ICSI organises National Programme on Panchyat Governance

 New Delhi, 21 April : The Institute of Company Secretaries of India organised a National Programme on Panchayat Governance, on 19 April 2025 in New Delhi, on the theme Fostering Sustainability & Strengthening Governance at the Grassroot.

As part of the nationwide celebration of Panchayat Governance Week, the ICSI is organising programmes across India through its Regional and Chapter Offices. Graced by the presence of Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti (IPS, retd DGP), Hon’ble Member of Parliament and Lok Sabha Panel Speaker, as the Chief Guest and Dr. Sanjeeb Patjoshi, IPS, DGP, Government of Kerala, as the Guest of Honour, the National Programme was hosted by Northern India Regional Council of the ICSI.

Appreciating the ICSI for focusing on grassroots initiatives with a good governance pedagogy, Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti said “Company Secretaries are second to none and can be very powerful contributors of inclusive and sustainable growth. As an Institution, the ICSI can become the voice of the Government, improving administration, promoting compliance and transparency and encouraging community participation”.

Navigating the administrative side of Gram Panchayats, Dr. Sanjeeb Patjoshi focused on the underlying dynamics of Panchayat Governance. He highlighted the e-Gram SWARAJ initiative of the Government, that aims to transform the functioning of Panchayat Raj Institutions making them more transparent, accountable and effective. He requested ICSI to partner in capacity building programmes at the grassroots level.

Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, CS Dhananjay Shukla, President, The ICSI, emphasised on the importance of Participatory Governance and mentioned that sustainable national development begins with empowered villages. He briefed about the ICSI’s Model Governance Code for Gram Panchayats, that aims to provide structured guidelines for an effective and responsive local governance.  

Explaining the theme, CS Manish Gupta, Programme Director, Chairman CLG Committee and Former President, The ICSI, deliberated on the initiative the ICSI has taken towards strengthening governance structures at the grassroots level. He also spoke about the opportunities Company Secretaries have in the field as equipped and valuable facilitators.

The thematic panel discussions brought to the fore insights from seasoned professionals like Dr. Indranil De, Professor, Social Sciences and Economics, Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Ms. Bhakti Sharma, Former Sarpanch, Barkhedi Abdullah Village, Bhopal District, Madhya Pradesh, CS Murli Manohar Jain, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, PVR INOX Ltd., Mr. Praveen Karn, Group Head, Sustainability and CSR, Spark Minda Group, and Dr. Shweta Bapat, President and Director, Business Ethics Foundation & Chief Advisor, CSR Nexus.

The event also witnessed the presence of CS Manoj Kumar Purbey, Council Member, the ICSI, CS Suresh Pandey, Council Member, the ICSI, CS Himanshu Harbola, Chairman, NIRC of ICSI, CS Santosh Pandey, Vice Chairman, NIRC of ICSI, CS Jatin Singal, Managing Committee Member, NIRC of ICSI and CS Asish Mohan, Secretary, the ICSI.