A noble and much needed intent NITI Aayog has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) with Lupin Foundation to collaborate in Aspirational Districts Programme to create templates for concerted development policy.
About the SOI:
- Lupin Foundation with NITI Aayog will work in three states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan) to facilitate creation of deal template to develop economic strength, technological viability and moral leadership across three districts in these states as part of Phase I of the cooperation.
- Phase I of this cooperation will focus on districts of Dholpur (Rajasthan), Nandurbar (Maharashtra) and Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh).
- It will help to develop comprehensive district-level action plan which integrates various initiatives and interventions.
Lupin Foundation will work towards three main pillars of ensuring integrated developmental policy in model states.
They are:
- Social development (initiatives for health, education and women empowerment)
- Economic empowerment (focus on interventions in spheres of agriculture, animal husbandry and skill enhancement)
- Infrastructure development (establish durable infra in form of internal roads, school buildings and water resources)
What is Aspirational District Programme?
- The programme was launched in January 2018 and it aims to quickly and effectively transform some of most underdeveloped districts of the country.
- It envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on five parameters: health and nutrition, education, financial inclusion, skill development, agriculture and water resources and basic infrastructure.
- It focuses closely on improving people’s ability to participate fully in burgeoning economy.
- It seeks to bring these indicators in selected districts at par with the better performing districts in the country.
- Broad contours of the programme are Convergence of Central and State Schemes; Collaboration of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers and District Collectors and Competition among districts driven by Mass Movement or Jan Andolan.
Questions:
Q1. With whom the NITI Aayog has signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to collaborate in the Aspirational Districts Programme?a. Gandhi Foundation
b. Lupin Foundation
c. New India Foundation
d. None of the above
Q2. When was the Aspirational District Programme launched?
a. January 2018
b. February 2017
c. March 2016
d. April 2015
