CONSUMER METER. A thrust forward

The Department of Rural Development at the Centre has recently completed the ranking of 50,000 gram panchayats in 5,000 clusters, in partnership with State Governments. The idea is to identify gaps in infrastructure, human development and economic activities. And the aim? To create poverty-free gram panchayats. The panchayats have been chosen on the basis of social capital and have strong women self-help groups. “Public institutions like Krishi Vigyan Kendras, MSME [micro, small and medium enterprises] clusters, other skill development institutions will all be involved in developing the fullest potential of these clusters... Even the private sector, especially young CEOs, start-ups and corporate social responsibility initiatives are being invited to join the movement,” said a government handout. An initiative to keep watching in 2018.