Raichur stands 12th, Yadgir 39th in aspirational dists

Raichur district in Karnataka bagged 12th rank while another backward district of the state Yadgir, secured 39th position in ranking of aspirational districts done by the Niti Aayog.

These two districts from Karnataka have been selected among 117 most backward districts across the country under the Centrally-sponsored Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme.

The aim of the programme was to take up comprehensive development of the most backward districts and, the project is being executed by the Niti Aayog.

Dahod district in Gujarat emerged as topper among all districts followed by West District in Sikkim. Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu secured third position. However, Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir stood last position among all districts, Niti Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said while releasing the ranking.

Ranking of these districts were done based on their progress in areas, which have direct bearing on the quality of life and economic productivity of people, such as health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development and basic infrastructure.

The ranking was given based on the data of various sectors provided by the respective state governments and districts themselves.

“The purpose of ranking is to spur a sense of competition among most backward districts to further their improvement,”Amitabh Kant said.

Though in health and nutrition sector, Raichur bagged top ranking among all the districts in the country, it secured 106th rank in basic infrastructure. This means, though in health sector the district is improving, it lags in developing proper basic infrastructure facilities including drinking water and road, said an official in the Niti Aayog.