<span style="color: #222222;">Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said that Aspirational District concept is based on objective parameters and the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) is scientifically designed with evaluation based on certain essential indices. He said, accordingly, 112 districts were identified across the country for special focus to bring about transformation.<br />''<br />''Dr Singh said, the Aspirational Districts programme launched by Prime Minister four years ago is aimed at localizing Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the progress of the nation.<br />''<br />''The Minister said this while reviewing the progress of work being carried out in Sitamarhi district of Bihar last evening under the ADP. Sitamarhi is one of the 13 Aspirational Districts in Bihar.<br />''<br />''Dr Singh said that ADP has emerged as a shining example of competitive and cooperative federalism, where districts are prodded and encouraged to first catch up with the best district within their state.<br />''<br />''He informed that the broad contours of the programme are Convergence of Central and State Schemes, Collaboration of Central, State level officers and District Collectors and competition among districts through monthly delta ranking.<br />''<br />''Regarding the work done in Sitamarhi district under ADP, Dr Singh noted with satisfaction that it has made considerable improvement across various socio-economic indicators and the district is one of the top performers from the state under the Education Scheme.<br />''<br />''In education, the district has strived to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in elementary schools from 16 per cent to 35 per cent in the last four years, indicating improvement in governance and capacity building.</span><br />