Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today told a visiting group of Indian Forest Service probationers from 20 states that good governance is to solve people’s problems. The administrative system is more of less the same across the country but there is need for change in the mindset for infusing service in the work culture.
These officers from the National Forest Academy, on a study tour of Gujarat, called on Mr. Modi and acquainted themselves on how Gujarat tackles challenges before good governance.
Mr. Modi said that team spirit is must for result and ‘Team Gujarat’ fulfils this need. There is need for clear-cut instructions on policy matters and administrative setup to ensure message percolates downstream and action taken report travels upstream. And for development is needed positive attitude. He said that one reason for the success of Gujarat’s good governance model is people’s participation.
He said that environment and development are complementary to each other; both are needed to lend speed. There is need for vision even for environment. He recalled that while World Bank refused to fund Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) dam on environmental grounds, but Gujarat showed grit to ensure the Narmada waters flow across the dam, which helped the state top in drinking water and social forestry. One has to learn how Gujarat nurtures greenery and preserves wildlife despite semi-arid zones and converts them into tourism. Gujarat is fast earning Green Credit points as it has adopted a policy of harnessing the Nature and not exploiting as is in vogue in the rich Western countries.
Mr. Modi said that Gujarat Government plans to start Green Schools in every district for public education and encourages young women to showcase forest protection skills in the Gir Forest.
Principal Forest Secretary H.K. Das and Probationer Group’s Convener S.K. Awasthi were present during the meeting.
