India is on a high growth trajectory that is expected to lift millions out of poverty. However, presently the quality of life of many of its citizens is not consistent with this growth story, a fact reflected in UNDP’s 2016 Human Development Index wherein we are ranked 131 out of 188 countries. A closer look at the data reveals high heterogeneity in the living standards in India. There are significant inter-state and inter-district variations. By uplifting the districts which have shown relatively lesser progress in achieving key social outcome, India can move ahead in the human development index.

Launched in January 2018, NITI Aayog’s ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ initiative aims to remove this heterogeneity through a mass movement to quickly and effectively transform these 115 districts across 28 states.

Extra information on Aspirational Districts Program:

Core Strategy: The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts driven by a spirit of mass Movement. With States as the main drivers, this program will focus on the strength of each district, identify low-hanging fruits for immediate improvement, measure progress, and rank districts.

NITI Aayog which has been driving the program has introduced a system of ranking to inculcate a spirit of competitiveness among the chosen districts. The present ranking is based on 49 indicators across 5 sectors. These sectors are areas that have been targeted for transformation –

1. Health and Nutrition (30%)
2. Education (30%)
3. Agriculture and water resources (20%)
4. Financial inclusion and skill development (10%)
5. Basic infrastructure (10%)

Selection:The  115  districts  were  identified  from  28 states,  at  least  one  from  each  state,  in  a transparent manner by a committee of Senior Officers  to  the  Government  of  India,  in consultation   with   State   Officials   using   a composite   index of   key   data   sets   based on above indicators.

The second set of rankings in December 2018, showed that five districts have particularly made rapid progress—

• Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir
• Ranchi in Jharkhand
• Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh
• Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh
• Jamui in Bihar

While districts such as Siddharthnagar made progress on several fronts, including education and basic infrastructure, Pakur in Jharkhand remain backward in education, health, nutrition and basic infrastructure. Pakur, which ranks at the bottom of the list, at 111, has plenty of room for improvement.

Bridging this inequality is vital to ensure political and social stability.

Political Stability

1)    Fillip to democracy: Due to the collaboration at all the three levels of Governance.

2)    Co-operative and competitive federalism: The index-based ranking system helps in achieving a competitive spirit which will further encourage states to perform better.

3)    Helps in SDG goals achievement. Currently India is only half-way in SDG goals.

4)    Secessional demands, regional demands based on polarization will be reduced

5)    Naxalism, Radicalisation, mob lynching, crime rates and social unrest will be reduced as the developmental factors increase

Social stability

1)    Inequality reduction, in turn poverty reduction by equitable distribution of income and tackling discrimination.

2)    Food Security ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability to all. This will lead to focus on other developmental aspects of Education and skilling.

3)    Education acts as a stepping stone to success by giving the opportunity to grow.

4)    Health: With programs like Ayushman Bharat offering health cover to 100 million vulnerable families, reduces the Out of Pocket Expenditure saving many families from falling BPL.

5)    Tackling Unemployment by creating opportunities of employment and skill development

6)    Reduced stress migration by developing the rural areas with modern urban facilities and seamless connectivity.

Challenges:-

• Local government is in a unique position to understand the complexities of the districts. They can experiment with different measures to enhance socio-economic development on the ground. Panchayats are neglected.
• State government in its conditions has also demanded allocation of more funds for the most backward districts.
• Data collection and analysis on monthly basis is a very hectic process which needs resources and efficient workforce.
• The districts which are backward need to compete with the best performing so quick transformation might be difficult and be flawed as well.
• Also there might be conflicts between centre and states. Work might be affected during elections etc.

Way forward:-

• For the programme to succeed there is a need for effective monitoring which can be done by social auditing.
• Increase the awareness amongst the people and even some of them can be given work as volunteers.
• With lack of digital literacy and infrastructure at local level compiling the enormous data and updating it is a humongous task.
• Seeking rapid transformation of these districts on specific parameters such as health, education and nutrition need to happen alongside unlocking of their development potential.
• In this context, recognising development trajectory of each district, relentlessly tracking district’s progress on its chosen interventions and indicators is probably a better approach.

Conclusion:

Plugging the development gaps and improving the quality of life of people in these backward areas is important. India, set to be the fifth largest economy in the world, bridging the development gap is vital to social and political stability. Thus, Aspirational District Programme will go a long way to achieve regionally balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth.