Centre Adds 9 Jammu Kashmir Blocks to Aspirational Programme | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Union Ministry of Planning has told the Lok Sabha that nine blocks in Jammu and Kashmir have been added to the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), aimed at improving governance and development indicators in some of the most under-served areas.

Launched in January 2023 as an expansion of the Aspirational Districts Programme, the ABP now covers 513 blocks across the country. The initiative focuses on accelerating progress in health and nutrition, education, agriculture, basic infrastructure and social development, primarily through convergence of existing schemes, data-driven monitoring and regular reviews.

The nine blocks selected from Jammu and Kashmir are Marwah (Kishtwar), Mankote (Poonch), Khwas (Rajouri), Khari (Ramban), Tulail (Bandipora), Singhpora (Baramulla), Manzgam (Kulgam), Keran (Kupwara), Ichegoza (Pulwama) and Thakrakote (Reasi).

The ministry said the programme acts as a governance enhancement model, ensuring focused interventions and coordinated implementation of government schemes in the identified blocks of Jammu and Kashmir.