Answer: 

Introduction:

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) was launched by the Government of India in 2018 in 117 districts with the aim of transforming the most backward districts of the country. The programme focuses on five core areas, including health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, and basic infrastructure.

Body:

Strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India:

• Convergence of central and state schemes: The programme seeks to ensure that all central and state schemes converge at the district level to maximize their impact.
• Collaborative effort: The programme encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including district officials, citizens, and non-governmental organizations.
• Citizen-centric approach: The programme aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in the aspirational districts through a people-centric approach.
• Innovation: The programme seeks to encourage innovation and the use of technology to drive development in the aspirational districts.
• Monitoring and feedback: The programme emphasizes the importance of monitoring and feedback mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of schemes and programmes in the aspirational districts.

Nature of Convergence, Collaboration and Competition:

• NITI Aayog is the anchor for the programme, while individual ministries and district administrations have taken up responsibility to drive progress in the aspirational districts.
• A central Prabhari officer of the rank of Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary has been nominated for each district to oversee the implementation of the programme.
• States have formed a committee under the Chief Secretary to ensure effective implementation of the programme. Nodal officers and State level Prabhari officers have also been appointed.
• An Empowered Committee led by the CEO of NITI Aayog has been established to ensure convergence of schemes and address specific issues identified by the Prabhari officers.
• NITI Aayog releases delta ranking for the districts in partnership, which serves to create a sense of competition among dynamic teams working towards the development of the aspirational districts.

Conclusion:

The transformation of aspirational districts in India requires a multi-pronged approach that involves convergence, collaboration, and competition among various stakeholders. The success of the programme depends on the collective efforts of the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and local communities. Through effective implementation of the core strategies, the ADP has the potential to drive inclusive and sustainable development in the most disadvantaged areas of the country.