The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in New Delhi has initiated a one-week capacity-building program for senior officers of the Information Commission of Maldives (ICOM). A total of 26 senior officers from Maldives are participating in this program, which aims to enhance their capacity for effective information strategies and actions, as well as promote the right to information in the Maldives.
The NCGG is dedicated to promoting collaboration and learning among civil servants in India and neighboring countries. The capacity-building initiatives offered by NCGG focus on promoting good governance, improving service delivery, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
The program for senior officers of ICOM is part of the larger objective of institutionalizing and achieving good governance, with a focus on technology as an enabler. It aims to promote the exchange of information, knowledge, and best practices, enhance sensitivity and responsiveness, and improve the efficiency of officers from participating countries.
The program covers various topics, including the Right to Information Act of India, the role and functions of the Central Information Commission, obligations of public authorities, the role and challenges of State Information Commissions, capacity building of Public Information Officers, case handling and management, the appellate process, transparency audit, monitoring and reporting functions of the Central Information Commission, and e-initiatives.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “pro-people” governance approach, where the focus is on putting the “citizen first” and ensuring equal access to quality public services. The program also includes exposure visits to various important locations, including the Pradhan Mantri Sanghralaya, Central Information Commission, and the Taj Mahal, for the participants.
The NCGG has previously undertaken capacity-building initiatives for civil servants in collaboration with various countries, including Maldives and Bangladesh, with the aim of improving governance and service delivery.
The inaugural session of the program was chaired by Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance. Shri Ahmed Ahid Rasheed, Information Commissioner of ICOM, Maldives, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to enhance the capacities of officers and improve services for citizens.
The NCGG, established in 2014 by the Government of India, serves as an apex institution focused on good governance, policy reforms, and capacity building of civil servants. It also operates as a think tank and has trained civil servants from multiple countries. The program for senior officers of ICOM is a step toward promoting good governance, transparency, and efficient service delivery, which are essential components of a thriving democracy.