A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, U.P. REGIONAL BRANCH

The U.P. Regional Branch of IIPA came into existence in the year 1960, as according to a letter sent to the Head Office on 7th of November1959, by the then Honorary Secretary, Shri M. Zaheer, stated that in an executive meeting it was decided to convert the Lucknow Local Branch to a Regional Branch. At that time, the Lucknow Local Branch had 62 Life Members, 1 Associate Member and 11 Corporate Members. The Regional Branch thus commenced with Shri Govind Narain as its Chairman and Shri M. Zaheer as its Honorary Secretary.

In 1984, Shri T.N. Dhar, Chairman Banking Services Recruitment Board, took over the IIPA U.P. Regional Branch as Honorary Secretary. At that time, Sri J.D. Shukla was the Chairperson. Sri T.N. Dhar continued as Honorary Secretary, till his sad demise in 2018. After his death, Sri Vidya Nand Garg was elected as the Honorary Secretary. In the meantime, Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh were Chairmen of the Branch by virtue of their post till 2008. However, since then, Shri R. Ramani, who was Chief Secretary in 2008, continues as Chairman to this day.

The Branch office is located in the central place of the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, in the Government building, Jawahar Bhawan. It has good infrastructure with wi-fi connection, seminar Hall, library and 6 rooms. It also has its own website. The branch has 700 members. Three of its senior members, Sri T.N. Dhar, Sri R.C. Tripathi and Sri I.C. Dwivedi have won the prestigious Paul Appleby Award.

A wide range of activities are organized by IIPA Regional Branch, UP, and the significant ones are as follows-:

• Research studies pertaining to the various sectorsare also undertaken and their reports are published in book form. In this context IIPA publications- Prosperity and Land (Agriculture Sector), Every Drop to drink, (Water Scarcity), Do or die (Power sector), Greening Imperatives (Forest Department) were widely appreciated and the findings accepted by concerned Departments. Besides researches are also conducted on the burning topics of public administration.
• Regional branch of IIPA brings out Quarterly Newsletter “Dynamic Administration”, since 1980, which is circulated to members and those interested in the issues of public administration.
• 3 to 4 workshops are conducted annually, on various topics related to planning and development, changing trends of public administration, environmental up gradation, education, housing and food problems, organization and infrastructure development. And other pertinent topicsare being organized. Workshop documents are prepared and after the workshop are over; proceedings are circulated to participants and members. Some of the articles and proceedings are published in book form and widely circulated. These workshops are extremely useful and informative. These were well attended by subject matter specialists, academicians, representatives from State Government Departments and members.
• Since 2004-05, IIPA UP Reg. Branch has been bringing out Annual Economy Monitor of U.P., which continued until the financial year 2015-16. The monitor was a periodic evaluative and suggestive compendium of economic and social development. In UP in the various sectors. It was ready to hand, brief but comprehensive document providing information about status, trends and gaps in the growth process. The Annual Economy Monitor was highly appreciated by policy planners, administrators, programme implementers and researchers.
• From 2019, the branch has started Annual Essay Competition, for students of classes 9-12, to sensitize them on issues of public administration. This activity has met with tremendous success. The essays could be written in English and Hindi and on the whole, 6 prizes are given to the winners.
• The Branch has also started conducting online meetings, discussions and its members are attending Webinars of the head office during the corona era.