Good Governance Index 2021: Shivraj Chouhan Led MP Pips Naveen's Odisha

No news of comfort for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. When it comes to governance, Odisha has been ranked second from the bottom. States like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar ranked higher than the State.

As per the report released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among 18 other states, Odisha, along with MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, UP, Bihar and West Bengal have been included in the Group - B states. And with a score of 4.578, Odisha finished second from bottom in the Group-B states, only ahead of West Bengal.

The State fares second poorest in citizen-centric governance. This comes as a shocker when the government is harping big on 5T governance.

Howler For Naveen Patnaik?

Since good governance has been CM Patnaik's hallmark in winning elections after elections, the report by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) that has put Odisha in such mean ranks is being seen as a major embarrassment, especially when neighbouring states Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand scored high in Good Governance Index 2020-21.

As per the composite index scorecard, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand secured 4.862 and 4.763, respectively, vis-a-vis a score of 4.578 by Odisha.

Good Governance Index Pillars

The Good Governance Index -2021 Framework covered ten sectors and 58 indicators. The sectors are:

• Agriculture and Allied Sectors
•  Commerce & Industries
• Human Resource Development
•  Public Health
• Public Infrastructure & Utilities
• Economic Governance
• Social Welfare & Development
• Judicial & Public Security
• Environment
• Citizen-Centric Governance

Odisha Governance And Farmers

When it comes to agriculture governance, Odisha presents a dismal show. As per the report, the agriculture governance of a state is calculated from the indicators like:

• Compounded Annual Growth Rate of Agriculture and Allied Activities
• Growth Rate of Foodgrains Production
• Growth rate of horticulture produces, milk and meat.
• The coverage of crop insurance.

In this segment, Madhya Pradesh tops the ranking table.

Odisha Vs MP

• Farmers in Odisha turned out to be poorest because the compounded annual growth rate of agriculture and allied activities in the State had been 0.08 percent in 2020 against 0.06 percent in 2019.
• The scores of Madhya Pradesh stood at 7.3 and 7.0 percent in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
• In the indicator of growth rate of food grain production, the State recorded a slower growth of 0.4 percent vis-a-vis 0.5 percent in 2019.
• In contrast, MP secured a growth rate of 6.5 percent and 1.5 percent in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
• Odisha recorded negative growth in horticulture production for two consecutive years.
• MP posted 10.4 percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.
• In milk production growth rate, MP clocked a high of 11.3 and 10.2 percent, respectively, Odisha could achieve a rate of 2.9 percent and 5 percent in 2019 and 2020.
• In meat production, Odisha achieved a rate of growth of 4.5percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, MP growth rate stood at 17 percent and 13.4 percent.
• Crop insurance coverage in Odisha increased to 35.5 percent in 2020 vis-a-vis 46.3 percent in MP.
• In farm and allied sector, Odisha has posted the lowest annual growth rate.
• Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were placed in a better position than Odisha.

Industrial Governance  

Even as the State shines in this section, Odisha finished second to Uttar Pradesh in commerce and industry indicator.

Odisha Vs UP

• The rate of growth of industries in Uttar Pradesh has been 12.90 percent in 2020-21.
• In Odisha, the growth rate has been estimated at 11.32 percent.
• In the ease-of-doing-business (EoDB) portal, Odisha scored 96 vis-a-vis 99 by Uttar Pradesh.
• As a consequence, UP scored 0.680 in the composite Industrial governance, whereas Odisha accomplished only 0.66.

Human Resources Governance

 Even as Odisha scored the highest in the indicator of the quality of education, the State has the following blips.

• Odisha has a higher dropout rate than Chhattisgarh.
• The retention rate at the elementary level in Odisha is 77.8 percent, vis-a-vis 81 percent in Chhattisgarh.
• Odisha, however, has a better placement rate. The placement rate for the State is estimated at 47.78.
• Rajasthan topped the Group B states in placement ratio.  
• SC/ST enrolment was poor in Odisha.
• Uttar Pradesh topped the list of group B states in SC/ST enrolment.

Health Governance

West Bengal topped the Group - B states with a score of 0.522 out of 1. Odisha placed at 4th with a score of 0.255. Bihar notched up a higher score than Odisha.

• In the indicator of the availability of doctors at Primary Health Centres, Odisha had recorded a decline in 2020 vis-a-vis 2019.
• Only 64 percent of PHC s have doctors in 2020 against 69 percent in 2019.
• UP topped the table in doctors availability.
• A high of 77 percent PHCs have doctors from a mere 29.8 percent in 2019.

Public Infrastructure Governance

• Bihar topped the table with a score of 0.754.
• Odisha languishes at the bottom -3 in Group B states.

Economic Governance

Odisha topped the ranking list with a score of 0.487. The State marvelled in the economic governance due to low debt to GSDP ratio and fiscal deficit, though it has a slower compounded annual growth rate of per capita income (per capita GSDP) and low own tax revenue to total revenue.

Social Welfare And Development Sector Governance

Chhattisgarh topped the table by virtue of low unemployment rate, high MNREGA employment, high health insurance coverage and economic empowerment of women.

This is seen as a major embarrassment for CM Naveen Patnaik when women empowerment has been his pet theme.

Public Safety Governance

When the State is saddled with crime against women instances like Nayagarh minor murder case, Mamita Meher murder and Mahanga double murder, in the Good Governance Index 2021 rate Odisha is third from bottom with a score of 0.278.

Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh occupy the top-3 ranks in Group-B states.

Odisha Pitfalls

• Conviction rate at 21 percent in 2020.
• Rajasthan conviction rate  at 57.20  percent.
• Only 8.9 percent court cases saw disposal in 2020.
• The number in Rajasthan stands at 25.3 percent.
• Disposal of cases by consumer courts in Odisha at 1.32 percent.
• The same in Rajasthan stood at 8.87 percent.
• Odisha fares better in availability of police personnel and representation of women in police force.