Poor show on economic front to blame

Chandigarh, March 5

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Poor performance on the economic front is one of the key reasons for pushing Chandigarh to 29th rank in the Ease of Living Index (ELI) -2020 from 5th rank in 2018, in the ranking of 111 cities released by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs yesterday. It was the second edition of the survey in which the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) category was introduced and in this category, too, the UT stood at 23rd position.

Of 100 marks, the city scored overall 54.40 in the ELI. In 2018, it had got a marginally less marks (53.16). Of its four components – Quality of Life, Economic Ability, Sustainability and Citizen Perception – the city performed badly in Economic Ability (34th rank) and Citizen Perception (35th rank).

The ELI is an assessment tool that evaluates the quality of life and the impact of various initiatives for urban development. The MPI was launched as an accompaniment to ELI. It seeks to examine local government practice in municipalities across areas of services, finance, policy, technology and governance.

“It appears that transparency and accountability is missing and that is why the UT ranking slipped in the index, but it can be improved next year if apt steps are taken,” said Ajay Jagga, an advocate.

The authorities could not provide adequate business and employment opportunities. Also, due to a shortage of funds, the Administration could not develop economic infrastructure in the city, as no new industry was established and many existing ones had migrated to neighbouring states, said experts.

The income disparity between the poor and the rich has also increased in the recent times, they added.

Meanwhile, an industrialist said the Administration had notified the Chandigarh Industrial Policy in 2015, but it still remained only on paper. It focused on boosting ease of doing business, ease of transfer of property, promoting industry at the national and international levels, development of infrastructure in the industrial area, and a preferential procurement policy for the city’s industry.

Two phases of industrial area have 1,884 plots spread over 150 acres. In the past five years, the number of micro, small and medium enterprises has decreased by nearly 35 per cent in the city, he added.

Meanwhile, the local Aam Aadmi Party slammed the UT Administrator and the local MP Kirron Kher for their lackadaisical attitude, which has led to Chandigarh slipping to 29th position in ELI 2020. AAP senior leader Chander Mukhi Sharma said: “There is no coordination between the Administration and the MC.”