Vocal for Local initiative

Recently, the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).

• The initiative aims to catalyze sustainable development by promoting indigenous products through ‘Aakanksha.’ The GeM portal provides a dedicated window to carry on e-commerce for local products.
• By this initiative, indigenous local products from 500 Aspirational Blocks have been mapped and bring under Aakanksha.
• The CEO of NITI Aayog requested district collectors and block officials to work in coordination with partners like Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to promote a sustainable economy for microenterprises in Aspirational Blocks.
• The ABP is a development initiative announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to provide direction, guidance and support for social and economic progress in India’s most underdeveloped areas and to funnel economic advantage to marginalised and vulnerable segments of the population.