Chandigarh: October 12th, 2020: A webinar on the topic PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) – Issues, challenges and way forward was organised on the Google Meet platform. The program, jointly organised by MGSIPA, Punjab and International Human Resource Development Initiative (IHRDI), Chandigarh focused on various issues including Introduction to the concept of PPP; Issues and challenges in PPP; Enabling environment for effective implementation of PPP; Way forward in PPP; Best practices and case studies of south Asian countries regarding PPP in urban services.
Three eminent panelists namely Mr. KBS Sidhu, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab & Director General, MGSIPA along with Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Memon, Regional Coordinator, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Bangkok, Thailand and Dr. Rajeev Mehta, PPP Consultant, World Bank participated in deliberations in a brainstorming session on this topic of international significance.
Sh. KBS Sidhu while initiating the discussion, talked about the concept of Public Private Partnership and its need in today’s time to give push to infrastructure development and boost to overall economy. He said that Public Private Partnership is collaboration between the Govt. and private sector for building up infrastructure in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens of a nation. He remarked that PPP is a Win Win situation for all the stake holders wherein the Govt. gets to commit its resources on important and strategic issues, leaving the rest to the private sector. The private sector gains by getting a forum for investment with a potential to get good returns in the future. The general public is a big beneficiary of this collaboration as the required infrastructure like road networks, railways, bridges, waterworks, schools, hospitals, airports etc. are created in the process for public consumption. Based on his vast administrative experience in Government of India and State of Punjab He also discussed the issues and challenges in effective implementation of PPP in India. He talked about the importance of having transparent and not so rigid bidding process so as to encourage more private players to enter the fray rather than create monopolies of just one two players. Mr. Sidhu also emphasized the importance of drawing proper contracts which lays down all terms and conditions at the outset so that no party is under any sort of misgivings to avoid future legal complications. The PPP can not be successful without the support of the political leadership and therefore it is pertinent that the official machinery should take them in confidence. He concluded by adding that it should be Private Public partnership and not the other way round so as to put the private sector in the driver’s seat.
Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Memon discussed various case studies and best practices in south Asian region in Public Private Partnership in the field of urban services especially regarding waste management projects. By citing various examples of cities like Dhaka, Pune, Phnom Penh, he laid down the causes for success and failures of PPP projects.
Dr Rajeev Mehta discussed the enabling environment and legal framework for effective implementation of Public Private Partnership projects in a nation.
The session was attended by diverse audience comprising officers, academicians, bankers, town planners, students etc. This panel discussion was coordinated and moderated by Dr. Sanjeev Chaddha, Prof & Head , MDC, MGSIPA, Punjab.