PM urges CMs to improve governance in states

Chandigarh, Sep 28: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today urged Chief Ministers to work on improving the governance systems in their respective states.

''What will differentiate one state from another is the quality of governance'', he said while inaugurating the Chief Ministers' conclave, organised by the PHDCCI here.

Dr Singh said states must pay special attention to the challenge of improving the quality of governance, both in local and state administration. They must make existing investment in the public sector more productive and make public services more effective and efficient.

''You will have to provide the necessary leadership and vision to ensurte that government institutions perform better, attitudes change, and tax payers get their money's worth'', he said.

Dr Singh also called upon them to promote e-governance. Noting Delhi and Chandigarh have some interesting initiatives in taking public services to the common man through the use of IT. he said such initiatives improve efficieny, transparency and provide greater customer satisfaction. ''E-governance can make government more citizen friendly and business friendly,'' he said.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that PHDCCI will succeed in shaping a workable consensus around the key policy issues so that all state governments, cutting across political parties, can take bold and forward looking initiatives.

The Chief Ministers of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh besides the Administrator of Chandigarh Union Territory participated in the conclave. Representatives of the Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers also took part.

UNI