IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICT PROGRAMME

9th May, 2022 Polity and Governance

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Context - The Union Government has reviewed the progress of work under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP).

 

Details

  • The Aspirational District Programme is scientifically designed with evaluation based on certain essential criteria.
  • The Programme was launched by the Prime Minister in January 2018.
  • It aims to quickly and effectively transform under-developed districts across the country.
  • The general strategy of the programme includes Convergence, Collaboration and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking.

 

Aspirational District Programme (ADP)

  • The Union Government launched the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ programme in 2018.
  • The overall objective of the programme;
    • Convergence of Central & State Schemes.
    • Collaboration of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers and District Collectors.
    • Competition among districts with a spirit of mass Movement.
  • 115 districts were transparently identified from 28 states by a committee of Senior Officers to the Government of India, in consultation with State Officials using a composite index.
    • The Composite index included data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census, Key health and education sector performance and the basic infrastructure of the State.
  • The NITI Aayog coordinates and manages the programme with support from Central Ministries and the State Governments.
    • NITI Aayog is supervising the initiative in 30 districts.
    • Various central ministries oversee 50 districts.
    • The Ministry of Home Affairs focuses on 35 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.
  • The Officers at the level of Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary are nominated to become the ‘Central Prabhari Officers’ of each district.
  • States have appointed Prabhari officers.
  • An Empowered Committee under the NITI Aayog will help in the convergence of various government schemes and efforts.
  • NITI Aayog release the Delta ranking for Aspirational Districts to assess the performance across 5 developmental areas;
    • Health and Nutrition
    • Education
    • Agriculture and Water Resources
    • Financial Inclusion and Skill Development
    • Basic Infrastructure

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NITI Aayog

  • The Planning commission was inspired by the USSR/Soviet Model, Prime Minister established a Planning Commission in 1950 to design the five-year Plans for India.
    • In 2015, it was replaced by a new organisation named National Institution for Transforming India (NITI)
  • Promote Cooperative Federalism
    • The Governing Council of NITI Aayog has Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and State Chief Ministers.
    • NITI Aayog Constituted a Committee of State Chief Ministers to examine important issues.
  • Promote Competitive Federalism
    • NITI Aayog has Prepared online dashboards to rank the States on various indicators of development Such as;
      • Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index.
      • Health Index.
      • School Education Quality Index.
      • Digital Transformation Index.
    • Launched Aspirational District Programs for monitoring the Progress of backward districts.
  • NITI Aayog has not been given the mandate or Powers to impose Policies on States.
    • NITI Aayog is a think tank or an advisory body.
  • The Powers for allocation of funds have not been given to the NITI Aayog. The Powers are with the Finance Ministry.
  • As a ‘think-tank’, Niti Aayog has helped the government In framing various Policies on;
    • Clean energy
    • Methanol based economy
    • Infrastructure, human development etc.
    • The model acts on agricultural land leasing, livestock Selling etc.
  • NITI Aayog regularly organises Seminars, Workshops, and Conferences.
  • NITI initiated Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to help Startups. NITI is developing the National Program on Artificial Intelligence.
  • NITI’s approach is modernised, forward-looking, and less bureaucratic; NITI Aayog is playing an important role as a think tank for Economic growth, Human development and Good governance in India.

 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1823404