During its 3-day State visit, a 16-member Afghanistan Government team called on Additional Chief Secretary Aruna Sharma and other senior officers at Mantralaya here today. They held discussions on various welfare programmes and development schemes after visiting urban and rural areas in the State.
Principal Secretary, General Administration, Devraj Birdi and Commissioner & Secretary, Urban Administration and Development, Sanjay Kumar Shukla were present on the occasion.
Explaining the administrative system in urban and rural areas of the State, the ACS said that development and welfare programmes were being implemented in rural areas through a 3-tier set-up of Zila, Janpad and Gram Panchayat. Similarly, municipal corporations are carrying out these works in 14 big cities out of the 377 towns in the State and by Nagar Palikas and Nagar Panchayats in the remaining ones. Fifty per cent posts are reserved for women in urban and rural local bodies against which women are working on 52 per cent posts. Elected representatives ensure smooth implementation of the public welfare programmes in urban and local areas with the assistance of Government staff.
Special attention is being paid to education, health and drinking water arrangements, she said. Sharma also informed them about various innovations made in rural development programmes in the State. She mentioned the salient features of Panch Parmeshwar Yojana, Maryada Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Mukhyamantri Grameen Aawas Mission and e-Panchayat. Secretary, Urban Administration, Sanjay Shukla gave detailed information about planned development in urban areas.
Earlier, members of the team visited rural areas in Sehore district. They also discussed development works being carried out in Bhopal city. They said they had been much impressed by Bhopal lake's natural beauty, cleanliness in the city and cordial behaviour of its residents. The team has come to India to undergo training at Central Government's Public Administration Institute, New Delhi. The team comprises collectors (district governors) of 14 districts of Afghanistan, a budget specialist and a national programme officer. The team was accompanied by officers of Public Administration Institute of India Prof Vinod Sharma and Sheela Reddy.