State of India's Environment 2020: Tripura Tops in Governance
Abhijit Nath
Agartala: Jun 08. State of India's Environment 2020 reveals Tripura Tops in Governance Index, Needs Focus on Health. A study "State of India's Environment 2020 in figures" released on June 04 last revealed the scenario of multiple crisis of governance in different states of India where Tripura is leading in various segments. The figures were procured from 'Good Governance Index' and 'Composite Water Management Index'.
Tripura, one among 8 northeastern states in India scores top position and leads in terms of good governance, agriculture and allied sector, human resource development, public health, environment and water resource management from and closer to national average ratings. However, the government may need to put more focus on to the public health sector as four states are leading above Tripura.
In case of Good Governance ranking, 15 states score below national average. The list of poor performers includes all the eight northeastern states along with Delhi, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. The national average is 50.33 score while Tamil Nadu scores the top position with 62.6 score and Tripura scores 49.2 as top position among 8 northeastern states.
The ranking is based on the performance of states in 10 key sectors which have over 100 indicators. It draws from centre's Good Governance Index and Composite Water Management Index and is based on government data available in public domain.
In case of Agriculture and Allied Sectors, 13 states score below the national average in the sector. The list of poor performers includes five northeastern states along with Delhi, Telangana, Goa, Kerala and Punjab. Accordingly, the national average score is 4.23 while Madhya Pradesh scores the top position with 7.3 and Tripura scores the second position with 4.4 as Mizoram holds top position with 6.6 score among northeastern states.
This ranking encompasses agriculture horticulture, livestock and fisheries. India is second largest agricultural producer and contributes 7.68% of the total agricultural output of the world. It contributes about 17.32% of India's gross value added. More than two-third of country's population reside in rural areas of which about 58 percent depend on agriculture as their major livelihood. India's food processing sector accounts for about 32 per cent of the food market. Given the importance, the government is working towards ensuring doubling farmers income by 2022.
In case of Human Resource Development, 16 states score below the national average on governance rankings. The list of poor performers includes all the eight northeastern states along with Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajasthan. The score of national average is 5.63 rating while Goa holds the top position with 8.1 score and Tripura holds the second position among northeastern states scoring 5 as Manipur achieved 5.4 score.
The ranking encompasses governance aspects of education covering primary, secondary, skill development and other related areas. There are several flagship programmes including Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Digital India and Skill India.
In case of Public Health, 12 states score below the national average of 5.36 rating on governance rankings. The list of poor performers includes three northeastern states along with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. In India, Kerala grabs the top position with score of 8.1 and in northeastern region, Tripura holds the fifth position with score of 6.2 as Manipur, Sikkim, Mizoram and Nagaland grabbed the first four positions, respectively.
The ranking covers primary, secondary healthcare and other health administration aspects. The state governments are responsible for health and 'raising the level of nutrition and standard of living of its people'. The centre declared the National Health Policy 2017, which promises to increase public health spending 2.5 percent of GDP in a time-bound manner and guarantees healthcare to all citizens.
In case of Environment, 04 states score below the national average of 5.16 rating on the governance rankings. The list of poor performers includes Goa, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The performances of all the northeastern states are good as the states ranges the scores between 5.5 and 5.2 while Tripura grabbed 5.3 score. Among all states and union territories, West Bengal is leading with 6.3 score.
The ranking include environmental protection, sustainable development of natural resources and promotion of renewable energy. 20 percent of India's geographical area is forests which play a major role in the economy besides wildlife and natural biopersity.
In case of Water Resource Management, 15 states score below the national average of 4.52 rating on the good governance rankings. The list of poor performers includes seven northeastern states along with Delhi, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar. In northeastern region, Tripura leads with 4.7 score followed by Assam below national average with 4.4 score.
The ranking encompasses water management and looks at a host of water metrics for surface and groundwater. Over the last few years, India has implemented a range of projects focused on groundwater recharge; responsible use of water for agriculture and use of technologies such as micro-irrigation.