• The Transformation of Aspirational Districts Program aims to expeditiously transform 117 districts that were identified from across 28 states, in a transparent manner. 
• It aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. 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 Mass Movement or a Jan Andolan. 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. The Government is committed to raising the living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth for all – Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
• To enable optimum utilization of their potential, this program focuses closely on improving people’s ability to participate fully in the burgeoning economy. Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure including access to road, potable water, rural electrification and individual household toilets are this programme’s core areas of focus.
• 49 key performance indicators have been chosen to measure progress of the districts. Districts are prodded and encouraged to first catch-up with the best district within their state, and subsequently aspire to become one of the best in the country, by competing with, and learning from others in the spirit of competitive & cooperative federalism.
• The delta ranking of the Aspirational Districts combines the innovative use of data science with pragmatic administration, keeping the district at the locus of inclusive development. This positioning is expected to aid the District Magistrates/Collectors to focus more on these sectors and improve their ranking in future.
• The core strategy in the program may be summarised as:

– States as main drivers

– Work on the strength of each district.

– Make development as a mass movement in these districts.

– Identify low hanging fruits by identifying the strength of the districts so that this can work as a catalyst for development.

– Measure progress and rank districts to spur a sense of competition.

– Districts to aspire: from becoming States’ best to Nation’s best.

• A ‘Champions of Change’ Dashboard for real-time data collection and monitoring has been formed. The dashboard is open for public viewing. The dashboard will facilitate District Collectors of all the aspirational districts to input the latest available data of their respective districts.

Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1557434; http://championsofchange.gov.in/about

Practice Question – 

Elucidate upon the underlying ideas of ‘The Transformation of Aspirational Districts Program’. What is the role of delta rankings in ‘The Transformation of Aspirational Districts Program’? – 250 words.