Patna: A departmental training programme was organised for 12 probationary officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 2024 batch, at the conference hall of the urban development and housing department (UDHD) here on Saturday. The programme was conducted for the officers currently undergoing their foundation course at the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD). The objective was to familiarise them with the department’s functioning, administrative procedures and overall working.Principal secretary Vinay Kumar addressed the probationary officers and briefed them on the department’s structure, responsibilities and key initiatives. He highlighted the importance of town planning, satellite city development, solid and liquid waste management and urban infrastructure, stressing that even unplanned cities can be transformed into organised urban centres through systematic planning, robust infrastructure and coordinated efforts.Drawing from his administrative experience, Kumar also guided the officers on ensuring effective, responsive and sensitive governance.Additional secretary Manoj Kumar was also present during the session. Officers were given detailed information on the department’s organisational setup, functioning of its directorates and regional offices, and major responsibilities. Briefings were also held on case handling related to high courts and other courts, financial management, implementation of departmental schemes, audit and accounts procedures, and the holding and property tax system.Discussions were further held on the Swachh Bharat Mission, centrally sponsored schemes, urban infrastructure development, departmental rules and regulations, and the budget formulation process. Officers were also informed about two plan documents for 2025-26 approved by the Planning Authorisation Committee and two approved by the cabinet.Probationary officers who attended the programme included Virupaksh Vikram Singh, Priya Rani, Krishna Joshi, Prem Kumar, Syed Adil Mohsin, Ajay Yadav, Suraj Kumar, Vignesh TA, Jatin Kumar, K Parikshit, Mahesh Kumar and Kashish Bakshi.
