Odisha Second In Overall Improvement Index In Country: NITI Aayog

Bhubaneswar: Odisha stood second in overall improvement in the country from 2018 to 2019, thereby becoming one of the top “fastest mover” states, said a latest report by NITI Aayog.

This was reported in NITI Aayog’s second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, which comprehensively documents the progress made by states and Union territories towards achieving the 2030 SDG targets.

India’s composite score improved from 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019, thereby showing noticeable progress. Odisha stood close to the national score at 58.

In overall improvement, Odisha stood second with an increase of 7 points, from 51 to 58. It also improved its ranking from 23^rd to 15^th with Uttar Pradesh beating it to become the highest gainer.

They were ranked in categories such as No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water And Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Sustainable Consumption And Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Partnerships.

Coming to individual indices, Odisha was accorded the status of ‘Front Runner’ across five categories and as ‘Performer’ across six out of a total of 17 categories.

Odisha became a Front Runner by making visible development in Clean Water and Sanitation, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Climate Action and Life on Land categories.

Among the States, Odisha saved the highest amount of CO2 by bringing renewable energy and by use of LED lights. Moreover, Odisha and four other states showed a decreasing trend in the area under desertification.

The state scored significant points in Good Health and Well-Being, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Life Below Water categories, thereby becoming a Performer.

The SDG India Index—which has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), United Nations in India, and Global Green Growth Institute—tracks progress of all states and UTs on 100 indicators drawn from the MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework (NIF).