UP's aspirational block model is an inspiration: Niti Aayog

LUCKNOW: UP's aspirational block programme received appreciation during a presentation made before Niti Aayog members and other northern states on Wednesday with aayog member Ramesh Chandra asking other states to visit the state to study the model that had been rolled out about a year ago.
The aspirational block programme inspired from the Centre's aspirational district scheme is aimed at improving the performance of areas that are lagging on various development parameters.
Among various aspects, the CM Fellow programme was discussed in detail with the Niti Aayog asking the Fellows to speak about their experience at national-level.
Principal secretary, planning, Alok Kumar said the programme was rolled out almost a year ago and had shown excellent results for the development of the 100 blocks selected under the programme.
"Appreciating the work done by the UP government, the members of Niti Aayog have asked other states to come here and observe how we have implemented it," he said, adding that as part of the project, the government had appointed 100 professionals under the CM Fellowship Programme in December 2022 to work with district magistrates and block development officers to monitor project implementation in each of these 100 blocks and report to the government so that where necessary, corrective measures can be taken.
The aspirational blocks are being monitored on 75 parameters across 14 departments and five thematic areas, including health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure. The performance of the blocks is assessed through monthly and quarterly rankings. In the presentation made before Niti Aayog on Wednesday, Kabrai block in Mahoba was the top performing block whose absolute score had improved from 52.67 in March 2022 to 66.25 in March 2023. Biswan in Sitapur was the least performing block whose score fell from 47.23 in March 2022 to 43.52 in March 2023.
An official said the scoring gives the government a realistic picture of development.
The best performers would get a prize of Rs 1 crore that would be invested in the block itself.