Power-driven governance key to people’s empowerment: Binani

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India’s 44th National Convention on the theme “Powering Governance — Empowering Stakeholders, CS — The Governance Professional”, began with a grand opening at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Vijaybhai R Rupani, Chief Minister of Gujarat graced the occasion as  the Chief Guest. While inaugurating the 44th National Convention of Company Secretaries, he congratulated the ICSI for creating a massive platform to deliberate strategies and methodologies  for powering Governance in order to  empower Stakeholders.

Rupani appreciated the Institute’s initiative in this direction and said, “True empowerment of our country needs appropriate strategy to embark upon the challenges like poverty elimination, agricultural reforms, co-operation between Centre and States, transparency, judicious delivery of services, job creation, development of infrastructure and setting up of business with ease and convenience etc. In short, the nation should be directed to empower its stake holders along with the goal of Self Sufficient and Self Reliant India”.

Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister for Railways also congratulated the ICSI for an enormous effort in advocating the cause of good Corporate Governance and spoke to the august gathering through video conferencing.

CS (Dr) M S Sahoo, Chairman of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India also addressed the gathering of eminent professionals and said that, “Company Secretaries have a pivotal role to play in areas of Insolvency and Bankcruptcy.

Bimal Chaudhary, MD, Anmol Biscuits Ltd, emphasised on the Role of Company Secretaries as Governance Professionals who can lead India into becoming a world leader  in terms of ease of doing business.

In her presidential address, CS Mamta Binani, President, ICSI, said, “The factual empowerment requires realization of real intents of the government’s initiatives through serious involvement of citizens, focussed industrial development, promoting ease of doing business, endorsement of digital India, innovative technologies and many more. This needs well structured governance for stakeholders to come together with a view to accomplish the consolidated end through brightening means”.

“Power-driven governance is a key to empower the people of the nation and the nation as a whole. To attain the goal of powered governance and in turn the stakeholders’ empowerment. The reach of such schemes among the remotest masses as well can be made possible through professionally enabled channels”, she added.

“Globally, services afforded under the expertise of professionals and alike have been the greatest enabler in causing remarkable positive transformation. India’s story is not different, and the utilisation of professional resources in the form of Company Secretaries and others have been seen as a game-changer”, she reiterated.

 Company Secretaries play a pivotal role in multi-faced functional dynamics. Their encompassing role in the varied areas like corporate governance, compliance management of laws including Company Law, Competition law, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law, Goods and Services Tax etc. are contributing towards empowering stakeholders.  

Indeed, Company Secretaries have the necessary competence to handle all issues concerning governance and ensuring compliances. A facilitator of legal compliance, Company Secretaries can enable all citizens to reap the benefits of government’s schemes and initiatives in more effective and efficient manner. It will be apt to state that the role of entire professional community is more crucial and decisive in ensuring ‘Powering Governance along with Empowering Stakeholders,” she further explained.

 CS (Dr.) Shyam Agrawal, Vice President, ICSI introduced the theme of 44th National Convention and said, “Globally, services afforded under the expertise of professionals and alike have been the greatest enabler in causing remarkable positive transformation. India’s story is not different, and the utilisation of professional resources in the form of Company Secretaries and others have been seen as a game-changer.

 CS Ashish C. Doshi, Council Member, ICSI and Chairman, 44th National Convention Organising Sub-committee welcomed the dignitaries and thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat and other distinguished guests. He said that, Company Secretaries are the professionals to guide the channelization of all Government initiatives in right direction with their competencies in Corporate Governance, Due Diligence and Legal Compliance. 

With the tint of proficiency of the company secretaries in taking forward these initiatives, the day is not far when these opportunities will make significant improvements in the direction of inclusive India with exclusive growth.

CS Ashish Garg, Council Member, ICSI and Co-Chairman, 43rd National Convention Organising Sub-committee introduced the Guests on the dais and welcomed all the delegates to the 44th National Convention. About 2500 delegates including Company Secretaries, Managing Directors, CEOs, Directors, Senior Executives and professionals from India and abroad are expected to participate in the three day National Convention. 

The three-day Convention will be addressed by captains of trade and industry, eminent experts, academicians, senior civil servants and professionals, he informed.

CS Dinesh Arora, Secretary, ICSI delivered the vote of thanks and declared the 44th National Convention of Company Secretaries open.