Context: NITI Aayog released the 1st Delta Ranking of Aspirational Blocks program (ABP)

NITI Aayog releases the 1st Delta Ranking of ABP

• The delta rankings were announced in a virtual event at NITI Aayog which saw participation of 329 districts and 500 aspirational blocks from across the country.
• This is the first time that the ranking of blocks has been calculated as part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme.

What are Delta Rankings?

• The Delta rankings for the aspirational districts measure the incremental progress made by them across the developmental areas of health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, and basic infrastructure.

Key Highlights of Delta Ranking of Aspirational Blocks program (ABP)

• Top Performers:
  1. Tiriyani Block of Kumuram Bheem  Asifabad district, Telangana
  2. Kaushambi block of Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh.
• Basis of ranking: The ranking of the blocks has been calculated on the basis of the performance of blocks and progress achieved in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in June, 2023.
• Wall of fame:  The top rankers of ABP and ADP will be displayed on the Wall Fall made at NITI Aayog.

Geographical Zones Created for Delta Ranking

• The blocks have also been geographically divided into six zones and two blocks from each zone have been given rankings.
  • Zone 1: Hilly and North-eastern States as well as Islands
    • The first and second positions went to Amri block, West Karbi Anglong, Assam and Ngopa block, Saitual Mizoram.
  • Zone 2: Northern Indian states
    • Harraiya block, Basti, Uttar Pradesh and Virno block, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh achieved the first and second spot.
  • Zone 3: Southern states
    • Maski block, Raichur, Karnataka and Narnoor, Adilabad, Telangana were declared the top rankers.
  • Zone 4: Western Indian
    • Sironcha and Aheri blocks in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra emerged winners.
  • Zone 5: Central India
    • Tirla block of Dhar district and Pati block of Barwani District, both in Madhya Pradesh as winners.
  • Zone 6: Eastern India
    • Andar, Siwan, Bihar, and Ramgarh in Dumka, Jharkhand as the top rankers.   

Aspirational Block Programme (ABP): Objectives, No of Blocks, and Key Indicators

• Objective: To enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and underdeveloped blocks of India by converging existing schemes, defining outcomes, and monitoring them constantly.
• Number of Blocks: An inter-ministerial committee in consultation with states had identified 500 blocks from across 27 states and four Union territories.
• Key socio-economic indicators (KSIs):
  • Health and nutrition, Education, Agriculture, and water resources, Financial inclusion and skill development, Basic infrastructure, and Social development.

News Source: PIB