He said for him, this gathering is no less than G20 as the programme is a symbol of the success of the Team Bharat and the spirit of Sabka Prayas, stressing that the progress chart of the aspirational district prpgramme is an inspiration for him to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and convergence as the basis of development.
“We have changed the concept of punishment postings into inspirational postings,” he said while declaring 112 aspirational districts as the inspirational districts. The PM called for equal distribution of the resources with a special focus on the needy areas and said “Jan Bhagidari or people’s participation has tremendous potential in finding solutions to problems.”
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the venue -Bharat Mandapam and the gathering – people who are taking care of development in the far-flung areas. It is an indication of the government’s thinking that such a gathering is taking place at the venue of the G20 summit, where people deciding the direction of world affairs, gathered just a month ago, he said. The Prime Minister welcomed the ground-level change makers. “For me, this gathering is no less than G20”, Modi stressed.
He interacted with three block level officers — Ms Ranjana Agrawal, a school teacher from Baheri, Bareilly, UP, Dr. Sajied Ahmed, Veterinary, Assistant Surgeon from Mankote, Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir and Mikehenchard Ch Momin, Jr. Rural Development Officer from Resubelpara, Ngh (Garo Region), Meghalaya.
The Prime Minister said, “In any list of the top 10 programmes of Independent India, the Aspirational District Programme will figure in golden letters”. The Aspirational District Programme has transformed the lives of about 25 crore people in 112 districts, he said. The success of this programme became the basis of the Aspirational Blocks programme, he added, mentioning the global accolades for the programme. The Prime Minister underlined that the Aspirational Blocks programme is bound to be a huge success not only because the scheme is unprecedented, but also because the people working towards it are prodigious.
Referring to his interaction with three block level officers, he said his self-confidence increases manifold after witnessing the morale of those working on the ground level.
The Prime Minister urged the Secretaries of departments present on the occasion to work in two new directions – Rapid development of every state and handholding of backward districts. He asked them to identify 100 blocks in the country that are lagging behind in their respective departments and work towards improving the conditions. He insisted that all parameters of development would change once the 100 identified blocks move above the country’s average. He suggested that all departments from the center emphasize the development of the blocks which have room for improvement.
Highlighting the role of state governments, the Prime Minister suggested identifying the 100 most backward villages and creating a model to improve them which can be further replicated to develop the next 1000 villages.
He mentioned the healthy competition among districts during the Aspirational Districts programme and gave the example of Kutch district in Gujarat which was once considered a place for punishment posting for officers but has now become the most respectable place with the dedication and diligence of officers who were posted there after the earthquake. He credited the young officers for the developments carried out in the aspirational districts of the country. For the Aspirational Block programme, the Prime Minister suggested the state government encourage young officers by promoting those who become successful at the block level.
The PM highlighted the aspect of team spirit being inculcated in the ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ programme which will lead to the emergence of leaders and new ideas for Jan Bhagidari. He gave the example of society coming together to support one another during a natural calamity. He also touched upon doing things collectively at the block level to induce the spirit of people’s participation and gave examples of celebrating anniversaries of regional institutions and distributing food to school children on such occasions to eradicate malnutrition.
The Prime Minister asked the delegates to focus on 5 parameters and get good results. This will increase their confidence. With this gradual address of problems, the block will become a source of aspiration for others, he said. “112 districts that were Aspirational Districts have now become inspirational districts. I am sure within a year at least 100 aspirational blocks will become inspirational blocks”, he concluded.
Background
The ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ is linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). The Prime Minister launched the nationwide programme on January 7, 2023. It aims to improve governance at the block level in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens. It is being implemented in 500 Aspirational Blocks across 329 districts in the country. Chintan shivirs were organized at village and block levels across the country to implement the Aspirational Blocks Programme and to prepare an effective block development strategy. The ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ is a culmination of these chintan shivirs.
‘Sankalp Saptaah’ will be observed in all of the 500 Aspirational Blocks. Each day in ‘Sankalp Saptaah’, from 3rd October till 9th October 2023, is dedicated to a specific development theme on which all Aspirational Blocks will work. The themes for the first six days include ‘Sampoorna Swasthya’, ‘Suposhit Pariwaar’, ‘Swachhta’, ‘Krishi’, ‘Shiksha’, and ‘Samridhi Diwas’. The last day of the week i.e. October 9, 2023, will be a celebration of the work conducted during the entire week, as ‘Sankalp Saptaah – Samavesh Samaroh’.
###
