Kathmandu, Poush 13: The Nepal Public Administration Association (PAAN) successfully conducted its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 20th National Conference on Saturday at Arpan Banquet, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The event, centered on the theme of People-Centric Governance, brought together eminent public administrators, policymakers, researchers, and dignitaries from Nepal and beyond.
The program was chaired by PAAN President Madhu Raman Acharya and featured the participation of distinguished former presidents, executive members, and representatives from the South Asian Network for Public Administration (SANPA).
25th Annual General Meeting
The AGM began with registration and refreshments, followed by a welcome address from Vice President Mukunda Prasad Niraula. Key highlights of the AGM included:
- Annual Report and Financial Presentation: Presented by Secretary-General Dr. Dilip Raj Paudel and Treasurer Rajani Regmi, showcasing PAAN’s progress and achievements.
- Remarks by Distinguished Leaders: Former Chief Secretary Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala and former PAAN Presidents Krishna Hari Baskota, Vidyadhar Mallik, Krishna Gyawali, and Dr. Hira Mani Ghimire shared valuable insights into strengthening public administration.
The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks, celebrating another milestone year in PAAN’s journey of supporting Nepal’s public administration system.
20th National Conference: People-Centric Governance
The conference featured a keynote address by Professor Prabhat Kumar Dutta (PhD), Vice President of SANPA, on “Reforming Village Governance in India through Decentralization: Looking Back and Beyond.” Prof. Dutta emphasized India’s governance reforms and their applicability to Nepal’s decentralization process.
The conference was inaugurated by Chief Guest Bhojraj Pokharel, former Chief Election Commissioner, who unveiled a digital display and launched the latest issue of the PAAN Journal. Discussions on governance challenges were enriched by remarks from Dr. Dinesh Pant, Prof. Sunity Shrestha Hada, and SANPA Representative Trilochan Pokharel, followed by an engaging floor discussion.
The session concluded with an address by the Chief Guest, a response from the keynote speaker, and remarks by the PAAN President on the outcomes of the conference.
Recognition and Awards
The event also celebrated excellence in public administration with the following awards:
- PAAN Gold Medal: Awarded to Surendra Chitrakar, Bikram Singh Dhami, and Samjhana Adhikari for their academic achievements.
- PAAN Civil Servant of the Year 2024: Initiated by Immediate Past President Krishna Hari Baskota, this award was presented to Mr. Krishna Lal Sapkota, a distinguished civil servant from Debdaha Municipality, Rupandehi.
Conclusion
The program concluded with the distribution of tokens of appreciation, a group photograph, and a luncheon, symbolizing unity and commitment among the public administration fraternity.
This conference provided a platform to deliberate on critical challenges and opportunities in public administration, focusing on decentralization and governance reforms. PAAN remains committed to advancing people-centric governance and fostering partnerships to achieve excellence in public administration in Nepal.