NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals India Index : Chandigarh tops the chart among UTs

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 3

Chandigarh has achieved most of the goals set by the NITI Aayog in the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) India Index 2020-21.

Among the UTs, Chandigarh, with 79 points, topped the chart on a score of 100. The city was followed by Delhi, Puducherry and Lakshadweep (68 points), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (67), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (66) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (62).

Among the states, Kerala was placed on the top of the chart with 75 points. Himachal Pradesh bagged 74 points to secure the second position. Punjab and Haryana scored 68 and 67 points, respectively.

Made it to the top despite pandemic, says Adviser

Despite the Covid scenario, we have been able to top the list, thanks to the leadership of UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore, the dedication and team spirit of officials and cooperation of city residents. —Manoj Parida, Chandigarh Adviser

The index was prepared on the basis of 15 identified goals, including a host of social, environmental and economic parameters.

On the “affordable and clean energy and reduce inequalities” front, the score of the city was a prefect 100, according to the SDG Index report. However, it performed the worst with 45 points on the industry, innovation and infrastructure front.

Tamil Nadu and Delhi have been adjudged the best in dealing with issues related to alleviation of poverty. Similarly, Kerala and Chandigarh did well to ensure zero hunger.

The overall performance of Chandigarh improved to some extent from 70 in 2019 to 79 in 2020.

On the good health goal, Gujarat and Delhi have been adjudged the best, while Kerala and Chandigarh were on the top of the chart in terms of quality education. Chhattisgarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands did well in ensuring gender equality. Goa and Lakshadweep did well on the clean water and sanitation front.

On the economic growth count, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh topped the chart, as did Gujarat and Delhi in terms of having good infrastructure. In the case of life on the land, Arunachal Pradesh and Chandigarh got the top rank. In terms of peace and justice, Uttarakhand and Puducherry were found to be the best.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida lauded the Chandigarh Administration for making Herculean efforts to ensure the top rank for the UT despite the pandemic. He expressed the hope that the performance would continue.