India’s state-run Aspirational Districts Programme, launched in 2018, continues to change the lives of people in 112 districts across the country, as reported by
IANS, a partner of TV BRICS. Over the past six years, many shortcomings in the organisation of local governance have been addressed through this initiative, it notes.

It was launched to improve economic performance in specific districts with initially low levels of progress in key social areas.

The eligibility of individual districts for the programme is assessed on a number of indicators. These include access to clean tap water, sanitation standards and whether local residents receive health care.

The publication cites the Kotwali neighbourhood in Nagina, Uttar Pradesh, which has become nationally and internationally renowned for its wide range of handicrafts.

A number of districts in Chattishgarh state are emphasising on agriculture in implementing the programme. Here, a large-scale vaccination project for domestic animals has been launched. Jharkhand’s Dumri block  in Jharkhand has shown significant progress in the health and nutrition sector, the publication said.

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