Modi to meet CMs on rural development, Viksit Bharat

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA Modi will likely discuss with state chief ministers the steps needed to boost rural economic development, widening of the aspirational blocks programme, and strengthening of centre-state coordination for shared prosperity, during the Niti Aayog governing council meeting on May 24.

- PRASANTA SAHU

The goal is to make India a developed nation by 2047.

"Rural development will likely be a key thrust area. With substantial achievement in the aspiration blocks programme, there could be a discussion to include newer underdeveloped blocks in the programme, replacing blocks which have achieved goals," an official said.

Blocks are the key second-tier local governance which was created post-independence in the 1950s. There are about 7,000 blocks across the states in India.

In consultation with various stakeholders, including states, 39 key performance indicators (KPIs) have been chosen to measure the progress of the blocks which have been grouped into five themes.