Press Releases

Chief Information Commissioner inaugurates SCOPE’s National Meet on RTI Act

Y.K. Sinha enunciates that PSEs must ensure transparency, accountability and good governance

The ‘National Meet of RTI Act’ organized by Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) was inaugurated by Shri Y.K. Sinha, Chief Information Commissioner in the presence of Shri K. Ravinder Naik, IAS, Principal Secretary, Secretariat Administrative Department, UP Government. Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE also addressed the inaugural session of the two-day program. Senior officials of UP Government and Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) were also present. The meet is being attended by over 100 participants from 37 PSEs.

In his inaugural address, Shri Y.K. Sinha said that Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) play a crucial role in development of our country, but besides their significant role they must ensure transparency, accountability and good governance. He emphasized that transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of performance of an organization, which reinforces the need to conduct workshops like this one being organized by SCOPE.
Shri K. Ravinder Naik addressing the participants appreciated SCOPE in organizing RTI Meet in Lucknow for the benefit and knowledge upgradation of information seekers and public authorities, especially in the largest state of the country, receiving maximum RTI applications.

Shri Atul Sobti said that RTI is a citizen centric Act facilitating transparency, ethics, accountability and empowering citizens. He highlighted that as PSEs are important pillars of the Indian economy, SCOPE as the apex body of PSEs, has been organizing knowledge and experience sharing programs in diverse regions of the country.
SCOPE’s National Meet aims to enhance the knowledge of Senior Officials, PIOs, Nodal Officers & Executives of PSEs and enable them to gain better appreciation of the RTI Act and the issues involved, for its effective implementation in their respective organizations.

SCOPE, an apex body of Indian PSEs, regularly conducts workshops and capacity building programs across the country on subjects like RTI, Corporate Governance, Climate change, Women empowerment, Leadership, Digital transformation, etc.

Marking a new chapter of SCOPE’s endeavour to promote excellence and coherence in PSEs, Bhoomi Pujan of first-of-its-kind ‘Social Interaction Club’ for PSEs was held at SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The Bhoomi Pujan was performed by Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman, SCOPE & CMD, GAIL and Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE along with Executive Board Members of SCOPE, CMDs, Directors and Senior officials of PSEs and SCOPE. Located in the heart of the city, the Social Interaction Club will offer an ensemble of world-class Social, Cultural and Recreational Facilities.

Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organized an Interactive Workshop on ‘Treasury and Financial Risk Management of PSEs’. Mr. Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE; Mr. Rakesh Kumar Jain, Director (Finance), GAIL; CA (Dr.) Anuj Goyal, Chairman, Research Committee, ICAI; Mr. Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director (Finance), ITDC & Member, SCOPE Executive Board and Dr. Amit Kr. Agrawal, Secretary, Research Committee, ICAI addressed the inaugural session. The workshop aiming to equip participants about treasury management strategies and effective financial risk mitigation techniques was attended by many senior officials from various CPSEs across the country.

Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment exhorts women to ‘Dream more, Do more and Become More’
Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organized a Workshop on ‘Leadership Development for Women Executives’. The inaugural session was graced by Ms. Arti Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment; Ms. Soma Mondal, Member, PESB; Dr. Vasundhara Upmanyu, Joint Secretary, DPE, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Satoshi Sasaki, Officer-In-Charge, ILO, India; Mr. Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE; Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Director (Operations), POWERGRID and Mr. Ashok Bhat, Program Director. Deliberating on ways women can propel their careers, by transcending with the times and performing multifarious roles, the inaugural session was attended by over 250 participants including senior women employees of PSEs, from across the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India for a Knowledge partnership facilitating capacity enhancement programs, research & studies, sector-specific skilling initiatives, etc. The MoU was signed by Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE, and CMA Vijender Sharma, President, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India in the presence of Members of SCOPE Committee on Financial Management, senior officials of the Institute and SCOPE.

Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), in association with Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), organized an ‘Interactive Workshop on Procurement by CPSEs through Government e-Marketplace (GeM).’ Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, IAS, CEO, GeM; Shri Animesh Bharti, Economic Adviser, DPE and Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE addressed the inaugural session of the workshop. The program was attended by more than 300 senior officials from over 100 CPSEs from across the country.

Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, in his address, commended DPE and SCOPE for conducting the workshop on a pertinent subject and shared that the growth of GeM has been phenomenal, owing to the participation of its stakeholders including CPSEs. He further added that as GeM facilitates a transparent and efficient public procurement process, CPSEs must work towards enhancing their GeM utilization ratio, and assured of continued support.

Shri Atul Sobti said that procurement is one of the most important aspects of a business as it determines not only financial prudence but also goodwill of the business. He emphasized that owing to PSEs’ presence in strategic sectors, effective procurement becomes imperative for ensuring cost optimization and quality assurance.

Shri Animesh Bharti shared that the aim of the workshop was to guide and apprise participants on procurement and advised CPSEs, that achieving the target in procurement through GeM is very important.

The interactive workshop saw deliberations on GeM outlook for 2023-24, new features & functionalities introduced in GeM to make it simple and user-friendly for CPSEs. GeM officials also highlighted the strong growth trajectory of GeM while recognizing contribution made by CPSEs. The workshop also provided a platform to representatives of CPSEs to raise their issues and concerns relating to Product, Services, Payments, integration and post-contract management before GeM Officials and get the same resolved.

SCOPE Academy of Public Sector Enterprise (APSE) organized an Executive Development Program on the theme ‘The Career Journey to Personal Effectiveness and Leadership’ recently. Shri Atul Sobti, DG, SCOPE inaugurated the weeklong program and Shri Ayush Gupta, Director (HR), GAIL addressed the concluding session. Participants from 17 Public Sector Enterprises of diverse sectors from across the country attended the program.

Compendium and short film exhibiting Climate Action by PSEs launched
MoU between SCOPE & GIZ, Germany signed

Pursuant to its endeavours of mitigating Climate Crisis, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) in collaboration with GIZ, Germany organized a program on ‘Climate Action initiatives by Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in India’, showcasing role of PSEs in reducing carbon footprint, despite operating in hard to abate sectors. Dr Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India; Mr. Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC; Mr. Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman, SCOPE and CMD, GAIL; Mr. Pawan Kumar, Principal Adviser, DPE; Dr. Julie Reviere, Country Director, GIZ India; Mr. Atul Sobti, DG, SCOPE addressed the event in presence of senior officials from DPE, GIZ, and various PSEs. During the program, a first-of-its-kind Compendium on ‘Initiatives towards Building Low-Carbon Economy’ and a short film on ‘Climate Action and Green Initiatives by PSEs’ highlighting endeavours of PSEs in hard-to-abate sector were launched. This was followed by signing of a new MoU between SCOPE & GIZ-Germany to develop solutions to achieve sustainable and economic urban and industrial development.

Reverberating the monumental role of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in the country’s economy, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organized Public Sector Day celebrations. Chief Executives of PSEs and SCOPE Executive Board Members including Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC; Smt. Soma Mondal, Chairman, SAIL; Shri S.M. Vaidya, CMD, IOCL; Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman, SCOPE & CMD, GAIL; Dr. Nalin Shinghal, CMD, BHEL; Shri R.S. Dhillon, CMD, PFC; Shri P.K. Gupta, CMD, NBCC; Shri Atul Sobti, DG, SCOPE, and many other Chief Executives of various PSEs were present.

The event was also graced by Shri Lucas L. Kamsuan, Joint Secretary, DPE & senior officials of Department of Public Enterprises, ILO and GIZ, Germany.

Results of SCOPE Biennial Elections 2023-25 were declared by Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) and Returning Officer, in the presence of members of Public Sector Enterprises and contestants. The newly elected SCOPE Executive Board will assume office from 1st April 2023.

While announcing the results, Shri Sobti said that SCOPE continues to witness enthusiastic participation of its member PSEs, in the SCOPE Board elections, which reiterates the faith of our members in SCOPE’s endeavours as the apex body of PSEs in India.

As per the results declared, Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, CMD, GAIL (India) Ltd. has been elected as Chairman, SCOPE. Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, CMD, Goa Shipyard Ltd. has been elected as Vice Chairman, SCOPE.

Other members elected to the Executive Board of SCOPE are: Shri Sujoy Choudhury, Director (Planning & Business Development), IOCL; Shri Ayush Gupta, Director (HR), GAIL; Shri Dillip Kumar Patel, Director (HR), NTPC; Shri Rajni Kant Agrawal, CMD, WAPCOS; Shri Krishna Kumar Singh, Director (Personnel), SAIL; Shri Rajendra Prasad Goyal, Director (Finance) NHPC; Shri Ravindra Kumar Tyagi, Director (Operations), POWERGRID; Smt. Usha Singh, Director (HR), MOIL; Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (P&IR), Coal India Limited; Smt. Baldev Kaur Sokhey, Director (Finance), NBCC; Shri Amitava Mukherjee, Director (Finance), NMDC; Shri Adika Ratna Sekhar, CMD, Balmer Lawrie; Shri Lalit Kumar Gupta, CMD, Cotton Corpn. of India Ltd.; Shri Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director (Finance), ITDC; Shri Manoj Kumar, CMD, EdCIL; Shri Om Prakash Singh, Director (T&FS), ONGC; Shri Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, Addl. Charge & Director (Other Units), BEL; Shri S.C. Mudgerikar, CMD, RCF and Dr. Siba Prasad Mohanty, CMD, BVFCL.

The newly elected board taking over at a propitious time, as SCOPE turns 50, aims at undertaking a wide spectrum of activities aligned with the core values and vision of SCOPE.

International Women’s Day was celebrated at Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE). Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE exhorted women employees to be determined and treat each challenge as an opportunity. Reiterating their pertinent role, he added, that if they put their heart and mind into any task, no feat is unfathomable for women.

National Meet of Forum of Women in Public Sector (WIPS) under the aegis of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), organized in Kolkata, was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Mr. Atul Sobti, DG, SCOPE and Guest of Honour, Mr. M. K. Singh, DG & CG (Home Guard), West Bengal. The meet, attended by over 600 participants from across the country, was held in presence of Dr. C. Dharini Mouli, President WIPS; CMDs, Directors and senior officers of public sector fraternity. Speakers encouraged women employees and WIPS to optimize opportunities to embrace larger roles and play a constructive role in developing leaders of tomorrow.

The Council of Indian Employers (CIE) comprising of All India Organization of Employers (AIOE), Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) and Employers Federation of India (EFI) convened its meeting at SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Soma Mondal, Chairperson SCOPE & Chairperson CIE and participated by Mr. Alok B. Shriram, President, AIOE; Mr. Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE; Mr. Jasbir Singh, Vice President, AIOE; Mr. Arvind Francis, Secretary (Coordination), CIE and Mr. Sougata Roy Choudhary representing EFI along with senior officials from CIE constituents.

The meeting deliberated on strengthening the role of CIE in view of the emerging role of India in the global economies with a specific focus on the desired role of Indian employers in tripartite forums. The meeting also discussed the strategic role of CIE in various interactions & meetings organized by the Government of India and Statutory Bodies from time to time and on international tripartite forums of International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva, and International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

Elucidating the announcements of Union Budget 2023, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organized a session with economic, financial, and taxation experts on ‘Decoding the Union Budget 2023’ in hybrid mode. Prof. N. R. Bhanumurthy, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru; Shri Atul Sobti, DG, SCOPE and CA Pramod Jain, Council Member, ICAI addressed the program.  A comprehensive presentation on various aspects of the Budget including new provisions and amendments in taxation was made by senior partners and subject matter experts from Deloitte. Over 200 participants, including board members and senior officials from PSEs, attended the program through both physical and virtual mode including SCOPE’s various social media platforms.

Explaining the macroeconomic aspect of the budget, Prof. N. R. Bhanumurthy stated that by laying focus on various aspects of the nation’s growth the budget provided a prudent fiscal consolidation roadmap for the country. He appreciated the budget in prioritizing capex while providing tax relief to boost consumption in the economy. He also highlighted the need to give due attention to the necessary reforms and incentives in the agriculture sector.

Shri Atul Sobti, while hailing the Budget announcements made by Union Finance Minister, said that the budget focusing on all segments of the industry is indeed a ‘budget for all’.  He appreciated the infrastructure focus of the budget and highlighted the role of the Public Sector Enterprises in meeting the desired infrastructure spending given their significant presence in strategic sectors of the economy.

CA Pramod Jain in his address was also appreciative of the budget and highlighted the focus of the budget on MSMEs and start-ups that would give the necessary push to the manufacturing sector in the country. He also highlighted the intent of the Budget to make India a hub of both manufacturing and tourism, which will lead to overall economic growth.

SCOPE (Standing Conference of Public Enterprises), apex body of Public Sector Enterprises compliments the Hon’ble Finance Minister in presenting a “growth-oriented inclusive budget for all” with impetus on infrastructure strengthening, green environment and skill development, while maintaining fiscal consolidation. While appreciating the Budget, Mr. Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE said that the Budget is likely to have a multiplier effect in both social and economic sectors. “Overall, a positive budget which is likely to give the necessary push to the country for a global role through landmark outlay for infrastructure strengthening, new schemes, incentivising domestic industries, focussing on inclusive development, impetus on skill development, moving towards simplifying regulations for ease of doing business and green initiatives leading to a net zero economy”, he added.

Commemorating the 75^th Martyrs’ Day, Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organized a Symposium on ‘Ethical Leadership for Organization Integrity: The Gandhian Way’. The occasion was addressed by Shri Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Former DG, CSIR and Chairman, National Innovation Foundation; Shri Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE and Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna, Eminent Gandhian. The dignitaries reminisced Gandhiji’s teachings on ethical leadership for organizational integrity and excellence. The symposium was participated in large numbers from across the country.