The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) organized the Orientation & Learning Summit for Independent Directors of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) on 5th and 6th October in New Delhi. The summit, held under the aegis of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and in partnership with the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), aimed to provide insights into board governance and the effective role of Independent Directors in CPSEs.
Key speakers at the summit included Shri Praveen Kumar, Director General & CEO of IICA; Shri Animesh Bharti, Economic Advisor, DPE; Dr. Anup K. Pujari, former Secretary, Government of India; and Dr. Niraj Gupta, Head of the School of Corporate Governance & Public Policy, IICA. The inaugural addresses emphasized the importance of a proactive role for Independent Directors on CPSE boards in promoting good governance practices, enhancing performance, and contributing to national developmental goals.
The summit covered various aspects of board governance, exploring topics such as the effectiveness of Independent Directors, their roles in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Audit Committees, and the regulatory framework governing their responsibilities. The agenda included interactive panels, open discussions, insights into board meeting preparations, and an exploration of board dynamics versus management relations.
Eminent speakers at the event included Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Secretary, Government of India; Nawshir Mirza, professional Independent Director; Anupam Kulshrestha, former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India; Dr. Anil Kumar, Independent Director, Life Insurance Corporation; and Dr. Anil Khandelwal, ex-chairperson, Bank of Baroda. The summit aimed to provide valuable insights and knowledge to Independent Directors, enabling them to contribute effectively to the governance and performance of CPSEs.