Kolkata, Jan 25 (IANS): The West Bengal government, which has regular meetings involving administrative officials, will now invite students' participation in the parleys so they can get firsthand experience of the state administration.

Inaugurating the Civil Services Study Centre in the city set up by the state government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the presence of students in meetings will help civil service aspirants know about various government schemes, as well as the functioning of the administration at the grassroots.

"We have been regularly holding administrative meetings involving district officials at all levels. Let students who aspire to join the administrative services be present at those meetings. This will afford them firsthand experience of how the administration functions," Banerjee said.

"This way, you (students) will get invaluable information about various governmental schemes like the MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) which you may learn about from books, but that will take time," she said.

Banerjee also said the Civil Services Study Centre, which will impart training to aspirants at concessional rates, will forge tie-ups with various national-level institutions to avail the services of renowned teachers and trainers.

Banerjee also offered her own services as well as of other administrative officers for helping the students.

"The chief secretary and other officers may guide you about the examinations. You can also approach me as I have been working at the grassroots level and involved with administration for long," Banerjee said.

After coming to power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee has been regularly holding administrative meetings involving key officials from various government departments in all districts of the state.