THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
KOLKATA, APRIL 19, 2025
“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,” said Krishna Prasad Tenneti, Member of Parliament and Lok Sabha Panel Speaker, while addressing the National Programme on Panchayat Governance organised by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) on Saturday, in New Delhi.
Held under the theme “Fostering Sustainability & Strengthening Governance at the Grassroot,” the programme marked a significant step in ICSI’s commitment to nation-building, aligning with the Panchayat Governance Week being celebrated across India. The event was hosted by the Northern India Regional Council (NIRC) of ICSI.
The gathering was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Sanjeeb Patjoshi, Director General of Police, Government of Kerala, who served as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Patjoshi delved into the critical role of administrative accountability in Panchayat systems, highlighting the transformative e-Gram SWARAJ initiative aimed at making Panchayat Raj Institutions more transparent, efficient, and people-centric. He also called upon ICSI to collaborate in grassroots-level capacity-building programmes, fostering empowered and participatory governance.
Delivering the presidential address, Dhananjay Shukla, President of ICSI, invoked the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, reiterating the need for participatory governance to achieve sustainable national development. “Empowered villages are the foundation of a strong nation,” he said, while also introducing the ICSI Model Governance Code for Gram Panchayats, designed to provide structured guidelines for efficient, accountable, and responsive local administration.
Manish Gupta, Programme Director and Chairman of the CLG Committee, along with being a Former ICSI President, elaborated on the Institute’s grassroots initiatives. He highlighted the expanding role of Company Secretaries as facilitators of rural governance, emphasizing their potential in driving reforms at the local level.
The programme also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion with insights from leading voices in rural development, governance, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. Notable panelists included: Indranil De, Professor of Social Sciences and Economics, IRMA; Bhakti Sharma, Former Sarpanch, Barkhedi Abdullah Village, Bhopal; Murli Manohar Jain, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, PVR INOX Ltd.; Praveen Karn, Group Head, Sustainability & CSR, Spark Minda Group; and Shweta Bapat, President & Director, Business Ethics Foundation; Chief Advisor, CSR Nexus.
Their perspectives underscored the synergy between corporate governance and grassroots empowerment, making a compelling case for inclusive development frameworks.
The programme witnessed the active participation of key ICSI representatives including Manoj Kumar Purbey, Suresh Pandey, Himanshu Harbola, Santosh Pandey, Jatin Singal, and Asish Mohan, further reinforcing the Institute’s collaborative leadership in the nation’s governance discourse.
With a visionary approach and a deep commitment to sustainable development, the ICSI’s national initiative has emerged as a vital platform for reimagining Panchayat governance through professional excellence, community involvement, and institutional innovation.