Kerala tops, Bihar last in Public Affairs Index

Kerala has secured first rank and Bihar has ranked last on this year’s Public Affairs Index (PAI), compiled on basis of a survey by Bengaluru-based think-tank Public Affairs Centre (PAC). The survey was based on 10 themes, 26 focus subjects and 82 indicators.

• It was released by former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachaliah. Former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde, Director of Public Affairs Centre (PAC) G. Gurucharan and former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan C.K. Mathew were also present at the event.

Public Affairs Index Survey was based on following 10 themes:

(i)Essential Infrastructure
(ii)Support to Human Development
(iii)Social Protection
(iv)Women and children
(v)Crime, Law and Order
(vi)Delivery of Justice
(vii)Environment
(viii)Transparency and Accountability
(ix)Fiscal Management
(X)Economic Freedom

Highlights of Public Affairs Index Survey:

In the overall rankings of large states, Kerala was followed by Tamil Nadu at second position and Gujarat at third position.

• This year’s bottom three large states – Bihar (18^th), Jharkhand (17^th) and Odisha (16^th) – ranked at the same position even in 2016.
• Among 12 small States (states having population of less than two crore), Himachal Pradesh secured the first rank whereas Meghalaya ranked at last position (12^th).
• In the category of essential infrastructure, Punjab emerged as the best performer.
• In Support to Human Development, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Punjab are the top three states, whereas Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam are the bottom three states.
• Top three slots in implementation of social protection policies were taken up by Kerala, Assam and Madhya Pradesh. Telangana, Haryana and Punjab are lagging the most on this theme.
• In the category of women and children, Kerala ranked first followed by Odisha and Karnataka. Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtraare the worst performers on this theme.
• Tamil Nadu is the best performer on three themes viz. maintaining law and order, delivery of justice and environment.
• In fiscal management,Telangana topped the list, whereas its neighbour Andhra Pradesh is at the bottom of the list.
• PM Modi’s home state Gujarat is No. 1 in economic freedom, whereas Nitish Kumar’s Bihar ranked last in this category.