ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS PROGRAMME
1. Context
In his speech after the BJP swept to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a victory of the poor, the deprived and the tribals, among others. The acknowledgement is with a reason aspirational districts, some of the most backward in the country, and constituencies reserved for tribals.
2. What is the Aspirational District Programme?
The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is a flagship initiative of the Indian government, launched in January 2018, with the ambitious goal of rapidly transforming 112 of India's most underdeveloped districts across 27 states. These districts are deemed "aspirational" because they have the potential to achieve significant progress with focused interventions.
The ADP adopts a holistic approach, focusing on five key areas crucial for development:
- Health & Nutrition: Aiming to improve access to quality healthcare, reduce infant mortality and malnutrition rates, and empower women with better health outcomes.
- Education: Striving to ensure all children are enrolled in schools, enhance learning outcomes, and bridge the literacy gap.
- Agriculture & Water Resources: Promoting sustainable farming practices, boosting agricultural productivity, and ensuring water security for improved livelihoods.
- Financial Inclusion & Skill Development: Empowering individuals through financial literacy, access to banking services, and skill training for better employment opportunities.
- Basic Infrastructure: Strengthening core infrastructure like roads, electricity, sanitation, and digital connectivity, which are essential for basic needs and economic growth.
3. What are the 49 indicators of aspirational districts?
The 49 indicators of aspirational districts cover various sectors and provide a comprehensive assessment of the development progress in these areas. Here is a broad overview of the key indicators:
- Health and Nutrition: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR), Full Immunization Coverage, Institutional Delivery Rate, Antenatal Care Coverage, Exclusive Breastfeeding Coverage, Stunting (Height-for-Age) among Children, Wasting (Weight-for-Height) among Children, Anaemia among Children and Anaemia among Women.
- Education: Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in Elementary Education, Transition Rate from Primary to Upper Primary, Dropout Rate in Upper Primary Schools, Average Learning Outcomes in Mathematics (Class 3, 5, and 8), Average Learning Outcomes in Language (Class 3, 5, and 8) and School Infrastructure Index.
- Agriculture and Water Resources: Crop Diversification, Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Completion of Projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).
- Financial Inclusion: Banking Penetration, Households with Bank Accounts, Households with Access to Credit and Households with Access to Insurance.
- Basic Infrastructure: Rural Road Connectivity, Household Toilets, Households with Electricity and Piped Water Supply.
- Skill Development: Number of Youth Trained, Employment Rate and Entrepreneurship Development.
- Agriculture and Allied Activities: Fishery Development and Livestock Development.
- Financial Inclusion: Progress under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and Penetration of Micro Units.
- Basic Infrastructure: Rural Road Connectivity, Piped Water Supply, Household Toilets and Households with Electricity.
- Skill Development: Number of Youth Trained, Employment Rate and Entrepreneurship Development.
- Basic Infrastructure: Rural Road Connectivity, Piped Water Supply, Household Toilets and Households with Electricity.
- Skill Development: Number of Youth Trained, Employment Rate and Entrepreneurship Development.
4. The criteria for aspirational district
- The criteria for identifying aspirational districts are based on a combination of backwardness indicators and the commitment of the district administration to implement development initiatives effectively. The key criteria include:
- The districts selected as aspirational districts typically exhibit relatively low scores on the NITI Aayog's Development Index or other relevant indices. These indices assess various socio-economic parameters, and districts with lower scores indicate a need for focused development interventions.
- The willingness of the district administration to improve and a demonstrated commitment to implementing development initiatives effectively are crucial criteria. Districts that actively engage in and prioritize developmental efforts are more likely to be selected as aspirational districts.
- Aspirational districts are expected to have the potential to quickly catch up with the national averages on key development indicators. The identification of districts with untapped potential helps in targeting interventions that can lead to accelerated development.
- The engagement of the district administration and the state government in a partnership mode with the Central Government and other stakeholders is essential. Collaborative efforts involving different levels of government and other organizations contribute to the success of the aspirational district initiatives.
5. About Aspirational Blocks Programme
The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) is a recent initiative building upon the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP). Launched in 2021, the ABP aims to achieve similar transformative goals at the block level, focusing on India's most underdeveloped 500 blocks across 25 states.
Key Features of Aspirational Block Programme
- The ABP identifies and prioritizes 500 blocks across all aspirational districts, based on specific criteria like poverty levels, social indicators, and infrastructure gaps.
- Similar to the ADP, the ABP emphasizes the convergence of existing government schemes and programs to avoid duplication and maximize impact.
- The program focuses on measurable outcomes rather than just outputs, ensuring interventions have a tangible positive effect on people's lives.
- Leveraging technology plays a crucial role in data collection, monitoring progress, and facilitating communication between stakeholders.
- Active participation and ownership by local communities are essential for the ABP's success. This includes involving panchayats, civil society organizations, and community leaders in planning, implementation, and monitoring.
6. The rationality behind Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)
The rationality behind the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) is multifaceted, encompassing both practical considerations and aspirational goals:
Addressing Development Disparity within Districts
- The ADP successfully tackled development gaps at the district level, but disparities persisted within aspirational districts. The ABP focuses on the most underdeveloped blocks within these districts, aiming to ensure no block gets left behind.
- By zooming in on specific blocks, the ABP can tailor interventions to address their unique challenges and needs more effectively. This avoids a one-size-fits-all approach and potentially maximizes impact.
- The ABP aims for saturation of essential services across various domains, ensuring all residents within a block have access to basic healthcare, education, sanitation, etc., regardless of their location or socioeconomic background.
Boosting Grassroots Participation and Empowerment
- The ABP empowers communities by actively involving panchayats, civil society organizations, and local leaders in the program. This fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to more sustainable development outcomes.
- Digital platforms and tools are used to enhance communication, transparency, and data accessibility. This empowers communities to hold authorities accountable and advocate for their needs.
- The ABP invests in skill development and capacity building for local stakeholders, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to plan, implement, and monitor development initiatives.
Leveraging Technology and Data for Efficiency
- Digital platforms enable real-time data collection and progress tracking, allowing for quick course correction and adjustments based on actual needs and outcomes.
- By analyzing data from various sources, the ABP can identify bottlenecks, prioritize interventions, and allocate resources more efficiently.
- The ABP promotes testing and adopting innovative solutions that can be replicated and scaled up across different blocks and districts, maximizing impact and cost-effectiveness.
7. The difference between the Aspirational Blocks Programme and Aspirational District Programme
| Feature | Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) | Aspirational District Programme (ADP) |
| Scale | Block-level | District-level |
| Emphasis | Saturation of essential services | Broader development goals (poverty reduction, social indicators, economic growth) |
| Community engagement | Strong emphasis on local ownership and participation | Encouraged, but primarily government-driven |
| Technology & data | Central role for digital platforms and real-time data | Less emphasis, relies more on traditional methods |
| Outcome-driven approach | Measurable outcomes like access to basic needs |
Focus on achieving output targets within broader development framework
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For Prelims: Aspirational District Programme, Aspirational Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog
For Mains:
1. Explain the significance of the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) in the context of governance and development in India. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. The ‘Aspirational District Programme (ADP)’ was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5, 2018. Which of the following is not part of ‘Aspirational District Programme '? (RRB Officer Scale-I Mains 2021)
A. It is a special initiative to rapidly transform 115 identified districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key social areas
B. The Baseline Ranking was released by NITI Aayog on April 1, 2018.
C. NITI Aayog in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh has created a dashboard for monitoring the real-time progress of the districts.
D. There are 70 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
E. The aim is to realise the vision of ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas’, and ensure that India’s growth process remains inclusive.
2. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (UPSC 2019) (a) Department of Science and Technology
3. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the (UPSC 2015) A. Human Rights Commission
B. Finance Commission
C. Law Commission
D. Planning Commission
Answers: 1-D, 2-C, 3-D |
Source: The Indian Express
