1st November 2023, Umiam

ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application & Research Institute (ATARI), Zone VII, Umiam, Meghalaya has taken the initiative in organising a capacity-building program on “Efficient Administrative and Financial Management” for the junior level officers of KVKs and ATARI at Umiam, Meghalaya from 1st-3rd November 2023. The inaugural function was on 1st November 2023.

The objective of the programme is to update/ refresh the skills and knowledge of the administrative and finance personnel in the system, the most vital segments of its workforce. The training programme was customised based on TNA of junior-level officers involved in the administration and accounts-related works in KVKs/ATARI, particularly in the area of budgeting control of expenditure, SFC/EFC, purchase as per GFR, procurement as per GeM, cash book and BRS, taxation etc.

Mrs. Shefali S Andaleeb (IA&AS), Principal Accountant General (Audit), Shillong, Meghalaya was the Chief Guest of the inaugural programme. She highlighted the importance of the capacity-building programme in the changing scenario of administrative and financial management. Mrs. Andaleeb lauded the role of ICAR in establishing a sustainable food production system in the country through its unique institutional mechanism starting from technology development, technology assessment and their application in the field. In this context, the Principal Accountant General (PAG) also offered needful capacity-building support to ICAR research institutes and KVKs through their HRD experts.

Dr. V. K. Mishra, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya was the Guest of Honour in the Programme. He said that the programme is the right initiative taken by the ATARI, Zone VII specially designed for junior-level administrative and accounts staff of KVKs and ATARI to handle the assigned roles effectively through proper understanding of the rules and regulations. He emphasised individual dedication to promoting excellence in Efficient Administrative and Financial Management.

Dr. Sunil Kumar Das, CF&AO & Course Director, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati, Pune, Maharashtra, was the Special Guest of the programme. He accentuated the objectives and pedagogy of the programme. Dr. Das gave a detailed course outline relevant to the job requirements of the KVK staff.

Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Meghalaya, highlighted the ICAR as a whole in the timeline of Indian agriculture in its journey from 1950-51 till date transitioning from the status of food deficit to food sufficient through various revolutions. He delineated the role of ATARI in translating research to development through effective technology implementation through KVKs and spoke about the organization's commitment to improving the farming sector of the NEH region through its KVKs.

The programme was attended by around 52 officials representing 43 KVKs across five different states of the NEH region namely, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura under ICAR-ATARI, Zone VII, Umiam through hybrid mode.

(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application & Research Institute (ATARI), Meghalaya)