Chandigarh: The Governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria, on Friday formally recommended integrating the state’s border blocks into NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes. The proposal comes in response to the discontinuation of the Border Area Development Programme, with the Governor stressing that these areas require a strong development framework to ensure they are not left behind.
Addressing the ‘Sampooranta Abhiyaan Samman Samaroh,’ which recognized exemplary achievements of districts and blocks under the Aspirational Programmes, Governor Kataria said that targeted transformation and convergence-based initiatives can fill the gap left by previous funding mechanisms. He lauded Punjab’s collaborative governance model, which has turned development into a mass movement. Emphasizing inclusive growth, he stated, “True development is not measured by the progress of the fastest, but by the upliftment of the weakest.”
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NITI Aayog Mission Director Praises Punjab’s Progress, Supports Border Block Proposal
Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary, Government of India, and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programmes at NITI Aayog, highlighted that the success of the programme relies on convergence, collaboration, and competition. He noted that the objective is to transform Aspirational Districts and Blocks into inspirational models. He expressed satisfaction that several districts and blocks nationwide have surpassed state and national averages, setting new benchmarks through collective efforts. He assured that Punjab’s proposal to include border villages would be presented at the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting.
आज लोक भवन, पंजाब में “सम्पूर्णता अभियान सम्मान समारोह” में आकांक्षी ज़िला व ब्लॉक कार्यक्रम के अंतर्गत उत्कृष्ट कार्य करने वाले वर्तमान व पूर्व डिप्टी कमिश्नरों को सम्मानित किया। pic.twitter.com/7NkG07oRaW
— Gulab Chand Kataria (@Gulab_kataria) February 20, 2026
In her welcome address, Additional Chief Secretary Planning Jaspreet Talwar highlighted Punjab’s participation in the programme, which currently covers two Aspirational Districts, Ferozepur and Moga, and ten blocks across seven districts. She noted that Ferozepur and Moga’s strong performance has made them eligible for performance-based incentive grants and urged NITI Aayog to extend the programme to border blocks of the state.
The ceremony also honored both current and former District Collectors for their contributions. Among current officers, Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur Deepshikha Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Himanshu Aggarwal received Cooper Medals, while Deputy Commissioner Moga Sagar Setia and Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala Amit Kumar Panchal were awarded Bronze Medals. Former DCs including Kulwant Singh (Moga), Vishesh Sarangal (Moga), and Rajesh Dhiman (Ferozepur) were recognized with certificates and awards for their leadership in driving these initiatives.