‘Make development process inclusive’

Chandigarh, December 4

KBS Sidhu, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab and Director General, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, while inaugurating a two-day workshop on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-2030 advocated the need for effective strategies for making the development process inclusive with focus on well-being and happiness of our people.

He said this international chapter aims at eradicating poverty, improving environment, encouraging quality education, skill-development, industry innovation, infrastructure development and entrepreneurship which are essentials for nation’s advancement and prosperity in every sector.

Appreciating the gesture of Vikas Verma, representative of the United Nations Development Programme in India, for participating in this workshop, Sidhu said it was a great honour for the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), which would help in giving a boost to the training programmes of the MGSIPA.

He expressed the hope that some thoughtful strategies would evolve in the workshop for giving a push to the sustainable development in Punjab.

The two-day sensitisation workshop on United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - 230 is being jointly organised by the MGSIPA and the National foundation for India (NFI), New Delhi.

About 50 delegates from state government departments and the Government of India are participating in this national event.

Jaspal Singh, Principal Secretary, Planning, Government of Punjab, while addressing the participants, said: “We have integrated our planning process to fulfil the objectives of sustainable goals and to achieve the targets enshrined in this charter”.

Vikas Verma, while delivering the keynote address, lauded the efforts of the Punjab Government for initiating and implementing strategic action plan and pursuing the sustainable development goals.

During this two-day workshop, speakers, including scientists, planners, policymakers, legal luminaries, professors of universities and administrators, will deliver lectures. — TNS