NITI Aayog CEO interacts with Secys, DMs

The Aspirational District Programme, a joint initiative of the Central and the State Governments, was set on track with a high-level interactional meeting held between NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and State Government officers here on Saturday.

The meeting presided over by Chief Secretary AP Padhi was attended by the NITI Aayog CEO, Central Pravari officers, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Secretaries of different departments and Collectors of the concerned districts.

Padhi pointed out the common basic requirements of the 10 identified districts on five thematic areas as outlined by the NITI Aayog. He pointed out the urgent need for creation of banking facilities, establishment of data and digital connectivity, credit flow to agriculture and MSME sector from commercial banks, establishment of railway connectivity, timely flow of ST and SC scholarships, flexibility in the flagship programmes like Pradhan Mantri Matrubandana Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana suiting the State’s requirements.

In his response, the NITI Aayog CEO assured that the Ayog would take up the issues with respective Ministries and find out appropriate solutions.

The Aspirational District Programmes focus on five thematic areas like health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development and basic infrastructure.

The Collectors from 10 aspirational districts, Koraput, Gajapati, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal, Nabrangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Malkangiri and Rayagada participated in the discussion through a videoconferencing.

Among others, NITI Ayog Advisor Rakesh Ranjan, Consultant Rama Kama Raju, Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Panchayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Agriculture Secretary Sourav Garg and Higher Education Secretary Bishnupada Sethi were present.