The Central Government has taken up a major policy initiative for rapid transformation of 115 backward districts across the country, including 11 districts across the North-east.
Among the 11 districts picked from across the Northeastern region, five are from Assam.
This initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ by 2022.
The five districts of Assam identified as backward are Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri, Chirang and Dima Hasao.
Senior government officials in the rank of Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary have been designated as ‘prabhari officers’ or in-charge to coordinate the efforts of the Centre and the states in implementing the specific development needs of the districts.
The first meeting of the in-charge officials will be held on January 4 and 5 next year in New Delhi to be addressed by Prime Minister Modi.
Later these in-charge officials will hold separate meetings with respective state governments to sort out modalities of the development plan of the identified backward districts.
The development measures will be executed by a team of central and state government officials.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged a vision for a new and vibrant India by 2022, the year when India celebrates its 75th year of Independence.
Inclusive development and improving the livelihood of all are integral part of this vision. One of the initiatives in this regard is to make a significant improvement in overall socio-economic development of backward districts.
The 115 districts have been identified for this purpose on the basis of objective criteria encompassing areas like education, health, nutrition, basic infrastructure like rural road connectivity, rural household electrification, access to potable water and individual toilets etc.