Shillong, July 13 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday called for continuous administrative reforms driven by small but meaningful changes, saying the ultimate purpose of governance is to improve people’s lives through efficient and citizen-centric public service delivery.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Conference on NEXTGEN Administrative and E-Governance Reforms in Shillong, Sangma said governments must overcome institutional resistance to change and encourage innovation across departments.

He said administrative reforms often face hesitation because officials fear that new ideas may not succeed, but stressed that meaningful transformation is achieved through incremental improvements rather than dramatic changes. The Chief Minister said technology should be used as an enabler of better governance while ensuring that citizens remain at the centre of policymaking and service delivery.

Citing Meghalaya’s flagship CM Connect initiative, Sangma said the programme combines technology with direct interaction between the government and citizens to address complaints and grievances more effectively.

He added that such platforms strengthen accountability and improve responsiveness in governance. Sangma also stressed the importance of feedback from frontline officials and government employees who interact directly with the public on a daily basis, saying their suggestions are crucial in identifying gaps and improving service delivery.

“The ultimate goal should be to serve the public and make a difference in their lives,” he said, urging officials to remain focused on citizen welfare while implementing reforms. Highlighting the state’s administrative initiatives, Sangma referred to Meghalaya’s Cabinet Retreat, where departments jointly present their plans, priorities and challenges before the Council of Ministers.

He said the exercise promotes collaboration across departments and enables better coordination in policymaking and implementation. The Chief Minister said governance reforms require not only new technology but also a positive mindset among administrators who are committed to public welfare.

He urged participants from across the country to use the conference as a platform to exchange experiences, learn from both successes and failures, and motivate one another to strengthen governance systems.

The two-day conference, organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in collaboration with the Meghalaya government, is focusing on next-generation administrative reforms, digital governance and the sharing of best practices among states.

–IANS

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