Chandigarh rated best in governance

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 30

Chandigarh has been rated the best governed Union Territory (UT) in the country in the Public Affairs Index-2020 released by the Public Affairs Centre in Bengaluru today.

In the category of UT, Chandigarh emerged as the best governed with 1.05 points, followed by Puducherry (0.52) and Lakshadweep (0.003). Dadar and Nagar Haveli (-0.69), Jammu and Kashmir (-0.50) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (-0.30) were the least performers.

In the large state category, Kerala was adjudged the best governed state in the country while Uttar Pradesh ended at the bottom.

In its annual report, the not-for-profit organisation, headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Kasturirangan, said the UTs and states were ranked on governance performance based on a composite index in the context of sustainable development defined by three pillars of equity, growth and sustainability.

In the small state category, Goa ranked first with 1.745 points, followed by Meghalaya (0.797) and Himachal Pradesh (0.725).

A senior UT official said the Administration had taken a number of initiatives to upgrade the infrastructure in the city to boost economic growth in the region. “Chandigarh has emerged as a regional hub in the areas of service industry, education, health, information technology, etc,” he said, adding that Chandigarh had also ranked first in India in the Human Development Index, quality of life and e-readiness. He said the UT had been rated as the ‘wealthiest town’ of India.

The official said various initiatives were taken by the Administration in improving governance by involving participation of citizens in the decision-making.