New Delhi: In a strategic move to intensify developmental efforts in backward regions, the Central Government on Thursday, June 12, announced the appointment of Central Prabhari Officers (CPOs) for 22 districts under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP). These senior officials will monitor key indicators and ensure efficient implementation of government schemes, working alongside local administrations.
CPOs to Oversee Development While Retaining Core Roles
As per the announcement, the newly appointed officers will continue to hold their current designations while assuming additional responsibilities as CPOs. Their main mandate is to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination, monitor developmental progress, and address local governance bottlenecks in their assigned districts.
District-Wise Appointment of CPOs
Below is the list of newly appointed Central Prabhari Officers and their corresponding Aspirational Districts–
Assam
Manish Thakur (IAS:1998:AM) – Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs – Barpeta
Bihar
Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IAS:2002:BH) – Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – Sitamarhi
Chhattisgarh
Anbalagan F (IAS:2004:CG) – Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – Bijapur
Ms. Alarmelmangai D (IAS:2004:CG) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush – Mahasamund
Jammu & Kashmir
Ajeet Kumar Sahu (IAS:2003:AGMUT) – Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – Baramulla
Chauhan Santa Chand (IAS:1999:AGMUT) – Joint Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms – Kupwara
Jharkhand
Daya Nidhan Pandey (IAS:2006:BH) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel – Chatra
Ajay Kumar (IP&TA&FS:1993) – Joint Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare – Dumka
Sanoj Kumar Jha (IAS:1997:SK) – Additional Secretary, Department of Coal – Khunti
Madhya Pradesh
Chhavi Bhardwaj (IAS:2008:MP) – Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training – Damoh
Alok Mishra (IlnfoS:1998) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment – Guna
V Kiran Gopal (IAS:2008:MP) – Joint Secretary, National Health Authority – Rajgarh
Devesh Deva (IAS:2004:MN) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries – Chandel
Mizoram
Padmini Singla (IAS:2002:AGMUT) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles – Mamit
Odisha
Vineel Krishna Ravella (IAS:2005:OD) – Joint Secretary, Department of Sports – Balangir
Vir Vikram Yadav (IAS:1996:OD) – Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment – Dhenkanal
Anita Karn (IFoS:1997:GJ) – Joint Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution – Kalahandi
Samar Nanda (IRS-C&IT:2004) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture – Naupada
Punjab
Ajoy Sharma (IAS:1999:PB) – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment – Ferozepur
Tamil Nadu
Anandrao Vishnu Pati (IAS:1998:TN) – Additional Secretary, Department of School Education – Virudhunagar
Telangana
Solomon Arokiara (IAS:2000:AP) – Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs – Bhadradri Kothagudem
Uttar Pradesh
Aditi Singh (IAS:2009:UP) – Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development – Fatehpur
Strengthening the Aspirational Districts Programme
Launched in January 2018, the Aspirational District Programme aims to transform districts that lag in key social and economic indicators. It uses a data-driven approach, focusing on five core themes:
- Health and Nutrition
- Education
- Agriculture and Water Resources
- Financial Inclusion and Skill Development
- Basic Infrastructure
The programme is being implemented by NITI Aayog in collaboration with various ministries and state governments, with the goal of promoting inclusive and balanced regional development.
Empowering Local Governance Through Central Oversight
The deployment of CPOs reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening governance at the grassroots level. These officers will act as key facilitators, ensuring that flagship schemes like PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMGSY, and Ayushman Bharat reach the last mile efficiently.
They will also report progress directly to the central government and help address region-specific challenges through a unified, coordinated approach.
