BENGALURU: In January this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ initiative in 100 most backward districts in the country, among which two districts from Karnataka are included — Raichur (rank 12) and Yadgir (rank 40). The districts have been ranked from best to worst.
While Raichur scored 43.53% on various development indicators, Yadgir scored 37.1%. Under this initiative, NITI Aayog monitors real-time progress made in 49 indicators from five areas — health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, basic infrastructure, financial inclusion and skill development.
From April 1, districts started entering data and by beginning of May, they will be ranked again based on the progress made on a real-time basis. The objective is to bring it on par with the development indicators of the best districts in the state and thereafter in the country. With 30% of the overall composite score on health and nutrition, the programme has identified 13 indicators to focus on antenatal care, postnatal care, gender parity, health of newborns, growth of children, contagious diseases and health infrastructure.
A top district official in Yadgir, said, “The health data, for example, is based on the National Family Health Survey — 4 which was done in 2014. It was the only available data, but it is dated. Four years later, we must have improved. In terms of education, the state average is 72% but our district’s is 51%. But in terms of rice production, we are as good as Punjab.”