A Guide to Government in Afghanistan

by Manning, Nick; Evans, Anne; Osmani, Yasin; Tully, Anne; Wilder, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780821358351
• ISBN10: 0821358359
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-30
• Publisher: World Bank Publications

Summary

This guide contains information on the administrative and political scene in Afghanistan, including the structures and processes of government. Issues discussed include: the historical and political context of the Afghan State; central and local administration, including budget and staffing aspects; central and local fiscal relationships; and service delivery in terms of the education and health sectors. The guide draws the bulk of its material from six provincial case studies, as well as using additional research undertaken by the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and the World Bank.

Table of Contents

Glossary and Definitions	ix
Dari Terms	ix
Historical Terms	x
Technical Terms	x
Other Terms	xi
Calendar	xiii
Currency	xiv
Abbreviations and Acronyms	xv
Preface	xvii
The Purpose of this Guide	xvii
Data Sources	xviii
Acknowledgements	xix
The Historical and Political Context	1	(21)
The Evolution of the Afghan State	1	(6)
Current Administrative and Fiscal Structures	7	(5)
The Political Context	12	(9)
Conclusions	21	(1)
Central Administration	22	(48)
Legal Basis and Organizational Responsibilities	22	(6)
The Ordinary Budget	28	(5)
The Development Budget	33	(5)
Staffing	38	(23)
Achievements and Challenges in the Central Administration	61	(9)
Central/Local Fiscal Relationships	70	(24)
Overview	70	(1)
Revenue Collection	71	(2)
Budget Preparation	73	(8)
Budget Execution	81	(10)
Cash Management and Treasury Operations	91	(1)
Accounting and Audit	92	(1)
Conclusions	92	(2)
Central/Local Administrative Relationships	94	(14)
Legal Basis and Organizational Responsibilities	94	(1)
Administrative Divisions	95	(2)
The Politics of Appointments	97	(3)
Organizational Structures in the Provinces	100	(1)
Staffing Establishment	100	(3)
Pay and Grading	103	(1)
Payroll Arrangements	104	(2)
Conclusions	106	(2)
Municipalities	108	(7)
Structure	108	(1)
Fiscal Autonomy	109	(1)
Expenditures	110	(2)
Staffing	112	(2)
Likely Way Forward	114	(1)
Education Service Delivery	115	(14)
Introduction	115	(2)
System Overview	117	(1)
Current Circumstances at the Provincial and District Level	118	(8)
Implications for Provincial Education Service Delivery	126	(3)
Health Service Delivery	129	(13)
The National Context	129	(1)
The Case for Contracting out Health Service Delivery	130	(1)
Current Circumstances at the Provincial and District Level	131	(7)
Implications for Provincial Health Care Administration	138	(4)
Conclusions	142	(6)
Handle the Existing Arrangements with Care	142	(2)
The National Agenda	144	(1)
The Subnational Agenda	145	(3)
ANNEXES	148	(10)
Annex 1: Central Government Bodies and Political Responsibilities	148	(3)
Annex 2: Central Government Structures in Perspective	151	(3)
Annex 3: The Legal Basis for Government Employment	154	(1)
Annex 4: Key Budget and Personnel Forms	155	(1)
Annex 5: Excerpt from the Legislation on Municipalities	156	(2)
Notes	158	(2)
References	160