Slew of schemes implemented under Aspirational District Programme in Hailakandi

Feb.13: A slew of schemes and projects have been implemented under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) of NITI Aayog in aspirational South Assam’s district of Hailakandi. Under the Kanya Taru Yojana, five numbers of saplings of high value fruit crops are distributed to a mother giving birth to a girl child. 2,639 saplings have been distributed by the implementing Agriculture department so far. The department has also set up a Community Canning and Training Centre to encourage the entrepreneurs and interested farmers specially women for enhancing food processing, value addition and packaging of agricultural products.

Under skill development, an areca nut leaf plate making unit has come up at Lala development block. Set up by Self Help Group members, the unit has become not only a sustainable source of income but also an activity to hone their skills in making diversified products from areca nut. Another plant has come up at Algapur development block that helps the SHGs to make diversified products from sheetal pati.

Under financial inclusion programme, basic banking facilities will be provided to each and every household through Customer Service Points (CSPs) which function as Bank Extension Centre. Altogether 62 numbers of gaon panchayat offices are going to be covered under the Aarthik Swadhinata Kendra.

The aspirational district has been doing exceedingly well in key indices and had got Rs.10 crore for overall performance in December 2018 Delta ranking by NITI Aayog and additional allocation of Rs.2 crore and Rs.8 crore in the December 2019 and February 2020 Delta rankings, respectively. The district was ranked first in December 2018 Delta ranking, fifth in December 2019 ranking and secured the first position in February 2020 ranking.

A total of 117 Aspirational districts have been identified by NITI Aayog based upon composite indicators from Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure which have an impact on Human Development Index.