~ Shri Subodh Chandra Agrawal, IAS (Retd.) ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab felicitated the IAF Fellows at Taj Chandigarh on 27th June 2024
~ The program was launched in Punjab in December 2022 and has been a pioneering model for Public-Private Partnership
~ Nine senior corporate executives have supported senior bureaucrats in State Departments with a focus on areas like fiscal resilience, digital empowerment, employment generation
The/Nudge Institute and Government of Punjab are proud to announce the graduation and completion of the Indian Administrative Fellowship (IAF), Punjab cohort, supported by ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE). Shri Subodh Chandra Agrawal, IAS (Retd.) ex-Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab felicitated the IAF Fellows at Taj Chandigarh on 27th June 2024, in the presence of Shri Vijay Kumar Singh, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab, and Shri Tejveer Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Power.
Punjab has a proud history of pioneering initiatives, including the Green Revolution. With a strong emphasis on innovation and talent, the Government of Punjab partnered with The/Nudge Institute and ZEE to launch the IAF program. This unique program brings senior private sector leaders to work alongside visionary bureaucrats, accelerating technology-driven transformation of government programs. The cohort has now completed their 18-month term, making significant contributions to their respective departments.
The Valedictory Ceremony was attended by former Chief Secretaries, other senior officials from various departments, civil society partners, and the leadership team of The/Nudge Institute. The Fellows, with an average 22 years of stellar careers, have worked on key departmental priorities and projects, infusing ideas, innovation, efficiency, and technology into their work. The program was anchored by the Department of Governance Reforms, Government of Punjab, with Fellows working across nine departments.
Shri Bhagwant Mann, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab congratulated the cohort upon the successful completion of their tenure “The Government of Punjab initiated this partnership with senior corporate professionals to leverage their innovative spirit and professional expertise. Together we are transforming the narrative of development in the State for the welfare of its citizens. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the Fellows for their dedication and significant contributions during their Fellowship. I am confident that their efforts have made a lasting impact.”
The Managing Partner of The/Nudge Institute’s Center for Social Enterprises, Ms. Subhashree Dutta while speaking of the pivotal role played by the government in driving development said, “This journey working with state departments and now the Central Government ministry has given us conviction that a lot can happen if professionals from the private sector contribute to governments at all levels. Fellows have been able to fast-track the government’s adoption of technology. We are excited to continue building on this unique public-private partnership model as we look to the future. By bringing together talent, experience, and expertise from both the private and public sectors, we are committed to building a sustainable livelihoods ecosystem for the nation.”
Collectively, the cohort influenced over INR 200 crores of public funds, with their projects having the potential to positively impact around 2.5 crore citizens in Punjab. Their contributions will help improve learning outcomes, generate jobs, and unlock revenue opportunities in the state.
| Fellow | Project highlights |
| Mr. Anil Hajela
|
Department of Finance: Enhanced State finances by optimizing operations at Public Sector Enterprises to minimize losses and enhance revenue.
|
|
Mr. Anupam Joshi
|
Department of Power: Operationalized the long pending ERP implementation to build operational efficiency in funds-strapped Punjab |
|
Mr. Harmeet Singh Sehgal
|
Department of School Education: Delivered a boost to the nutrition and hygiene standards in Mid-Day Meals, and elevated learning outcomes across Punjab’s government schools. |
| Mr. Harpreet Singh
|
Department of Local Government: Augmented the capabilities of ULB cadres and supported PMU initiatives to enhance municipal service delivery in Ludhiana and Amritsar. |
|
Mr. Kumud Jha
|
Department of Higher Education & Languages: Developed NEP implementation road-map and aligned related GoI financing to transform Higher Education in Punjab |
| Mr. Mohit Khanna
|
Department of Governance Reforms & Public Grievances: Laid a roadmap for the state’s digitally empowered initiatives in various spheres, and coordinated to improve NeSDA rankings |
|
Mr. Puneet Mahajan
|
Department of Tourism: Refined PPP frameworks for heritage site management and upgraded experiences through innovative digital solutions |
| Mr. Saurabh Saha
|
Department of Employment Generation & Training: Fostered partnerships to increase private sector employment and devised a comprehensive State Skilling scheme
|
| Mr. Vaibhav Dayal
|
Department of Cooperation: Recommended strategies to enhance profitability for key State Marketing units and mitigate losses during the food-grain procurement period |
