The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has praised the Government of India’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP).
- The UNDP report said that the ADP should serve as a “best practice” for other countries where regional disparities in development status persist for many reasons.
- The report further said that overall, ADP is a very successful model of local area development. It is aligned to the principle of “leave no one behind.
About Aspirational Districts Programme
- The Aspirational Districts Programme was launched by the Prime Minister in 112 districts across 28 states in January 2018.
- The ADP aimed to expedite the transformation of the 115 most backward districts across 28 states through a convergence of government schemes.
- ADP is anchored by the NITI Aayog, which works in collaboration with central and state governments to streamline its effectiveness.
- The districts have been chosen by senior officials of the Union government in consultation with state officials. It was based on a composite index of deprivation using a range of socio-economic indicators.
- There are three core aspects that frame the structure of the programme – Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State-level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts.
- Many districts that have made it to the list are from smaller states or states ranking lower in the development spectrum. These include Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- The programme largely focuses on development across five sectors of healthcare and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, basic infrastructure, and skills development and financial inclusion.
