Patna: A one-day training workshop for District Planning Officers was organised by the Planning and Development Department, Government of Bihar on February 23, 2026, aiming to strengthen planning capacities and improve implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). The event took place at the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bihar and brought together senior officials and technical teams to enhance data-driven governance at the block level.
The Aspirational Blocks Programme, launched on January 7, 2023, builds upon the earlier Aspirational Districts Programme framework. It seeks to improve living standards in India’s most underdeveloped regions through convergence of schemes, capacity building, evidence-based planning and knowledge management. The initiative is guided by the three principles of convergence, collaboration and competition, encouraging districts and blocks to improve service delivery through performance-based development.
The workshop was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Dr N. Vijaya Lakshmi and attended by senior officers from multiple departments, including members of the State Transformation Cell. Bihar currently implements the programme across 61 blocks in 27 districts, reflecting the state’s commitment to targeted development strategies. Officials highlighted that under the Aspirational Districts Programme, Rs 280.26 crore has been disbursed to districts, while 16 blocks across six districts have received Rs 20.50 crore in performance-linked incentives under the ABP.
A central feature of the programme is the “Block Saturation Strategy”, designed to ensure complete coverage of key services through last-mile delivery and real-time monitoring. The strategy emphasises effective coordination between central and state schemes to prevent exclusion of eligible beneficiaries or habitations. Participants discussed practical approaches to strengthening monitoring mechanisms and improving utilisation of available funds.
Officials said the workshop served as a platform to improve inter-departmental coordination and promote evidence-based planning. The Additional Chief Secretary instructed district officials to ensure full expenditure of allocated funds and submit utilisation certificates to NITI Aayog by March 15, 2026. Monthly progress reviews were also mandated to maintain accountability and accelerate implementation across the identified blocks.
