Rankings highlight remarkable development progress
Unsatisfactory performance by 2 blocks of Ladakh
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 27: In a significant achievement under the Government of India’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP), five blocks of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have secured positions in the top 15 out of around 500 Aspirational Blocks across the country. The latest performance rankings highlight remarkable developmental progress in these areas, reflecting the UT administration’s focused efforts toward grassroots transformation.
The Aspirational Block Programme is an initiative of the Government of India to accelerate the development of the most under-developed blocks in the country. It aims to improve governance and social development in these blocks by converging existing schemes, defining clear outcomes and monitoring progress using digital tools.
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The programme utilizes a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across various themes like Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure to track progress.
Under the ABP, 10 blocks of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have been selected for transformation and five among them have secured positions in top 15 out of around 500 Aspirational Blocks across the country as per the latest report of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
Ichegoza Block of Pulwama has secured overall 2nd rank while as Tulail Block of Bandipora has secured 8th rank. Similarly, Mankote Block of Poonch has secured overall 9th rank, Keran Block of Kupwara emerged as 10th in the overall ranking and Thakrakote Block of Reasi has secured 13th rank.
As far as other five blocks are concerned, Khawas block of Rajouri has bagged overall 60th rank while as Khari block of Ramban has secured 85th rank. Three blocks—Marwah of Kishtwar, Singhpora of Baramulla and Manzgam of Kulgam have not performed well as compared to other blocks of the UT and this is evident from their 269th, 275th and 468th rankings.
As far as Union Territory of Ladakh is concerned, Karsha block of Kargil has secured overall rank of 104 while as Rupsho block of Leh has secured 469th rank.
Under Health and Nutrition theme, percentage of pregnant women registered for ANC, institutional deliveries against total reported deliveries, percentage of low-birth weight babies, National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certified facilities in block, percentage of person screened for hypertension against targeted population etc are considered while giving rankings.
Similarly, percentage of boys and girls transitioned from Upper Primary to Secondary level, percentage of schools having adequate number of girls’ toilet facilities etc are among the factors analyzed by the NITI Aayog under education theme.
Under Agriculture and Allied Services, percentage of FPOs formed in the block against total sanctioned, Soil Health Cards generated against soil sample collection target, stage of ground water extraction etc are the key components for analysis.
Percentage of households with tap connection, villages declared open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, Gram Panchayats with BharatNet etc are the key performance analysis indicators under Basic Infrastructure theme.
As far as Social Development theme is concerned, the NITI Aayog gives rankings after analyzing the total number of eligible households added to SHGs, number of banking touch points located in the block, percentage of Gram Panchayats with at least 250 beneficiaries digitally certified under PM Digital Saksharata Abhiyaan etc.
Meanwhile, commenting on Mankote block’s performance, Deputy Commissioner Poonch Vikas Kundal said, “the block, which was ranked 348th in Quarter 2 of 2024, rose to 99th rank in Quarter 3 and has now climbed to 9th rank, marking one of the fastest improvements recorded nationwide”.
“This achievement reflects the collective resolve to improve core sectors such as health, education, agriculture and infrastructure”, he said.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Manzoor Ahmed Qadri, while commenting on the overall ranking of Tulail block, said, “this recognition reflects the district’s effective governance, sustained developmental progress, and commitment to inclusive growth”, adding “this recognition not only brings immense pride to the district but also makes Bandipora eligible for an award incentive of Rs 2.5 crore, which will be utilized to further strengthen development interventions, bridge service delivery gaps, and improve the quality of life for residents, particularly in aspirational and underserved blocks”.
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