Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Friday said that "good corporate governance is central to India’s development", as he sought greater contribution of Company Secretaries to the country's growth.

In an interaction with a delegation from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, he stressed that their professional expertise can play an important role in strengthening governance practices across the corporate and economic ecosystem, a ministry statement said.

Dr Singh also highlighted the importance of creating a stronger culture of ethical entrepreneurship and good governance, as he noted that professional institutions such as the ICSI have an important role in promoting governance standards and facilitating practices that contribute to institutional excellence.

The minister highlighted the ICSI's initiatives relating to panchayat governance, local-body governance, and appreciated the institute's efforts to prepare manuals and training material in multiple languages.

He also praised ICSI's efforts towards digitalisation of institutional processes, including the adoption of electronic voting and a preferential voting system for its elections.

Dr Singh highlighted the importance of good corporate governance and professional excellence, and underscored the expanding role of Company Secretaries in India's governance ecosystem.

He emphasised that professionals in the corporate sector have an important role in promoting responsible governance, ethical practices and institutional accountability.

The minister appreciated the role of professional bodies in continuously evolving their standards and practices in response to changing requirements.

Dr Singh also emphasised the importance of recognising and encouraging organisations and individuals that demonstrate excellence in corporate governance,

The interaction also covered the ICSI's initiatives relating to professional standards, secretarial standards, corporate governance and its Lifetime Achievement Award for Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality.