Renowned economist professor Pritam Singh honoured by Punjab State Information Commission for his contributions

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu):  Professor Pritam Singh, a distinguished economist, academician, and eminent scholar , was today felicitated by the Punjab State Information Commissioners Harpreet Sandhu , Dr Bhupinder S Batth & Verinderjit S Billing at Commission headquarters in Chandigarh, where Prof Pritam Singh had interaction with the State Information Commissioners and senior officers of the Commission. On the occasion, Professor Singh was formally honored by the RTI Commissioners in recognition of his outstanding academic contributions and his lifelong engagement with issues of development economics, ecological sustainability, governance.

Professor Pritam Singh, currently Professor Emeritus of Economics at Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, is internationally acclaimed for his scholarly work on development economics, federalism, nationalism, and governance, with particular reference to India and Punjab. His academic writings and research have significantly enriched discourse on sustainable development and socio-political frameworks in the Indian context.

During the interaction, Professor Pritam Singh thanked Chief Information Commissioner Punjab Inderpal Singh Dhanna for the wonderful hospitality during his visit to Commission and he also held an insightful discussion with the Right to Information Commissioners of Punjab on the functioning of the Right to Information (RTI) Act and its pivotal role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and good governance. Drawing upon his vast academic experience, he shared valuable perspectives on how the effective implementation of RTI can empower citizens, enhance institutional responsiveness, and reinforce democratic values.

On the occasion, the significanct book on religious heritage book t “Spiritual Journey of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib”, authored by Harpreet Sandhu, State Information Commissioner, Punjab was formally presented to Professor Pritam Singh. The publication is dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and offers a profound spiritual and historical narrative of the life, philosophy, and supreme sacrifice of the Ninth Sikh Guru. The book is further distinguished by the valuable foreword penned by Professor Pritam Singh wherein he eloquently reflects upon the universal relevance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s martyrdom, particularly in the context of human rights, freedom of conscience, and ethical governance.

Acknowledging the role of the Punjab State Information Commission, Professor Pritam Singh appreciated its efforts in upholding the spirit of the RTI Act. He remarked that the Right to Information is among the most powerful democratic instruments for ensuring accountable governance, and institutions like the Punjab State Information Commission play a crucial role in nurturing a transparent, participatory, and responsive administrative culture.”

The Punjab State Information Commissioners Harpreet Sandhu , Verinderjit S Billing & Dr Bhupinder Singh Batth expressed their gratitude to Professor Pritam Singh visiting the Punjab State Information Commission headquarters and enriching interaction, noting that such academic engagements provide meaningful insights and reaffirm the importance of RTI as a cornerstone of good governance and democratic accountability. Shiv Dullar Singh Dhillon former IAS , Chairman Red Cross Punjab, Iqbal Singh Sidhu , former IAS and Col Jasdeep S Sandhu , Director Civil Military Affairs Western Command were also present on the occasion in the commission.