Parliament Question: Development of Dang district of Gujarat under Aspirational Districts Programme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF DANG DISTRICT OF GUJARAT UNDER ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS PROGRAMME 3505. SHRI GOVINDBHAI LALJIBHAI DHOLAKIA: Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Aspirational Districts Programme launched in the year 2018 is a major initiative of Government aimed at accelerating development in the most backward districts of the country; (b) whether the programme focuses on transforming underdeveloped districts by improving key development indicators in sectors such as health, education and infrastructure; (c) whether Dang district of the State of Gujarat is also being developed under the Aspirational Districts Programme; and (d) if so, the achievements made so far in relation to the targets set for the development of Dang district under the programme? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION ; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH) (a) Yes Sir. The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is a major initiative of the Government of India that aims to transform the 112 identified districts of India rapidly. The programme is anchored by NITI Aayog. Page 1 of 2(b) ADP focuses on transforming 112 identified districts by improving 49 key development indicators spanning across the five key thematic sectors viz., Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure. (c) and (d) No Sir. Dang district of Gujarat is not included under the ADP. ***** Page 2 of 2