115 backward districts to be transformed by 2022

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to create a "New India" over the next five years, the government on Friday said it had identified 115 backward districts for rapid transformation by 2022.

Senior level government officials, at the rank of Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary, have been nominated as 'Prabhari' officers for each district, an official statement said.

A detailed briefing of these officials was held under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha on Friday, which was also attended by secretaries of important Central ministries.

In his keynote address, Sinha expressed confidence that nominated officers would accept this challenge and succeed in their mission.

Terming this as an important initiative to make a difference in the lives of millions of citizens in these districts, he advised the Prabhari officers to immediately form a team with state representatives and bring convergence in their effort.

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant emphasised that for dramatic improvement in Human Development Index, transformation of these backward districts was urgently required.

He said the government was committed to make all round efforts to achieve these objectives in partnership with states.

Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba said if these districts were transformed, there would be tremendous improvement in security environment of the country.

He said while 35 districts have been selected on the basis of reported violence by Left Wing Extremists, 55 districts are affected by Left Wing Extremism and another 15, including districts in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast, are affected by terrorism.

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