Govt launches good governance index

A Good Governance Index (GGI) was launched on December 25 by the central government to assess the state of governance in the country.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the index at an event organised by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions on the occasion of good governance day in New Delhi.

Good governance day is observed on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said the index has been scientifically designed on various parameters of governance. He added that documentation of the index is an effort in the direction to carry forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for good governance.

What is the purpose of GGI?

The objectives of GGI are to provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and Union territories, enable them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result-oriented approaches and administration, according to a statement issued by the personnel ministry.

Various principles have been kept in mind while selecting the indicators. It should be easy to understand and calculate, citizen-centric and result-driven, leading to improved results and applicable to all states and UTs, among others, the ministry said.

“The good governance index is a uniform tool across states to assess the status of governance and impact of various interventions taken up by states and Union territories,” the statement said.

How is GGI calculated?

The GGI takes into consideration 10 sectors - agriculture and allied sectors, commerce and industries, human resource development, public health, public infrastructure and utilities, economic governance, social welfare & development, judicial and public security, environment and citizen-centric governance.

These 10 governance sectors are further measured on a total of 50 indicators.

These indicators are given different weightage under one governance sector to calculate the value.

For instance, under agriculture and allied sector, there are six indicators with different weightage such as growth rate of agriculture and allied sector, growth rate of foodgrain production, growth rate of horticulture produce, growth rate of milk production, growth rate of meat production and crop insurance, the ministry said.

The states and UTs are divided into three groups - big states, Northeast & hill states and Union territories.

The states and UTs are ranked on all indicators separately, at the same time composite ranking is also calculated for these states and UTs under their respective groups based upon these indicators.

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