CM Vishnu Deo Sai Congratulates Bastar for Winning State-Level Gold in Aspirational District Category; Tokapal Block Awarded Bronze

Raipur – Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people and administration of Bastar district for being awarded the State-Level Gold Medal in the Aspirational District Category, and to Tokapal block for winning the Bronze Medal in the Aspirational Block Category. The awards will be presented on August 2 at a state-level event in Raipur.

Both awards were conferred under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District and Block Programme as part of the Sampoornata Abhiyan, based on 100% implementation of six key performance indicators.

“Collaboration, competition, and public participation are the keys to development” – CM Sai

CM Sai praised Bastar’s collective achievement, crediting the administration, public representatives, and citizens for their commitment. He stated that the Centre’s Aspirational Districts Programme is fostering development through mutual learning and healthy competition. He urged other districts to emulate successful initiatives like those of Bastar to contribute to building a developed Chhattisgarh.

Background of the Awards and Programme

The Sampoornata Abhiyan was conducted from July 4 to September 30, 2024, aiming for 100% target achievement in six indicators under sectors such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, and women empowerment.

Key achievements in Bastar during the campaign included:

• 8,500 soil health cards distributed by the Agriculture Department
• 1,922 ANC registrations for pregnant women by the Health Department
• 100% vaccination of 1,801 infants
• 7,894 beneficiaries provided with supplementary nutrition by the Women & Child Development Department
• Electricity provided to 177 schools by the School Education Department
• 100% textbook distribution under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

The campaign successfully reached remote rural and interior areas in Bastar. A public participation-based model involving all departments, including Panchayat, ensured target completion across all six indicators.

About the Aspirational District Programme

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme focuses on rapid and inclusive development in India’s 112 most underdeveloped districts. It aims to converge central and state schemes, promote inter-departmental collaboration, and encourage competition via monthly delta rankings.

The programme emphasizes local planning and identifies key interventions for quick impact. It measures progress using 49 performance indicators under five socio-economic themes:

1. Health & Nutrition
2. Education
3. Agriculture & Water Resources
4. Financial Inclusion & Skill Development
5. Basic Infrastructure

District rankings and progress reports are publicly available on the Champions of Change portal (championsofchange.gov.in).

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with ministries and development partners, supports capacity building, promotes successful models, and encourages their replication. The ultimate goal is to localize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and accelerate national progress.