Context:
The ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, launched under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) by NITI Aayog, aims to promote indigenous products and bolster sustainable growth in India.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Key Highlights:
- Showcasing Indigenous Products: The initiative focuses on showcasing indigenous products through a platform called ‘Aakanksha,’ which serves as a dedicated window on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. This facilitates e-commerce for local products and provides them with greater visibility.
- Mapping Indigenous Products: Indigenous products from 500 Aspirational Blocks across India have been identified and consolidated under the Aakanksha platform. This initiative aims to highlight the diversity and richness of locally produced goods.
- Collaboration with Stakeholders: The CEO of NITI Aayog has called upon district collectors and block-level officials to collaborate with partners such as GeM and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This collaboration is intended to facilitate the sustainable growth of microenterprises operating in Aspirational Blocks.
Significance of ABP:
- Development Initiative: The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) is a development initiative announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. It aims to provide direction, guidance, and support for social and economic advancement in the most underdeveloped regions of India.
- Inclusive Development: The ABP seeks to direct development benefits towards marginalized and vulnerable sections of the population, thereby promoting inclusive growth and addressing regional disparities.
