Dr MCR HRD Institute, Hyderabad, on Monday launched a week-long capacity building program for the private secretaries and stenographic service officers of Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Dr Shashank Goel, DG of the institute and Special Chief Secretary to Govt of Telangana, while inaugurating the session said the officials of Lok Sabha Secretariat, including private secretaries and stenographic service officers, play a pivotal role in providing critical support to the Members of Parliament in enabling them to discharge their duties effectively. These officials are the backbone of the parliamentary system and are vital to the functioning of parliamentary democracy. Their invaluable contribution to the nation’s governance needs to be recognised, he stated.
The socio-economic scenario of the country in general and the government institutions, including the Lok Sabha Secretariat in particular, have been changing at a mind-boggling pace, Goel observed, and called upon the officials to keep their skill sets current and up-to-date in order to help the elected representatives to perform their functions, with a professional touch.
Goel pointed out that in the present-day dynamic scenario, the training program will yield several significant benefits, including enhanced skill sets, updated knowledge, improved efficiency, enhanced communication skills, leadership development, etc. “Capacity building is not a one-shot affair. In fact, it is an on-going and continuous process of acquiring new skills, adapting to changing circumstances, and embracing innovations,” he said.
While applauding the innovative initiatives taken up by Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Goel assured that Dr MCR HRD Institute will continue to help PRIDE in all possible ways.
Dr KP Malick, Director, PRIDE, said that the percentage of the women employees of Lok Sabha Secretariat in the capacity building program is 45%. He hoped that the program will not only be helpful to the officials in improving their capabilities, but also empower their women counterparts in learning the ways and means of maintaining their work-life balance, especially in managing their work and home.
Dr Usha Rani, Course Director & Centre Head, CDS, presented the salient features of the training program. “The program provides for multiple field visits to different institutions relating to the content of the training program and also to the sites of historical and cultural importance,” she added.
