What Makes Goa The Best Governed State In India?

Goa, yesterday, was declared as the best-governed state (small state category) in India by the Public Affairs Centre in its annual Public Affairs Index-2020 released yesterday. 

The annual report is prepared by the not-for-profit organization, which is heading by the former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRRO) chairman K. Kasturirangan. 

There were two categories based on which the organization drew its results, and under the small state category, Goa ranked number one. In the large state category, Kerala stood first. 

Goa, having a relatively smaller population of just over15-lakhs, as compared to other states, fitted itself in the small state category. In this, the other states included were Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. 

So, for Goa to be awarded as the best-governed state in the small state category, certain parameters were drawn, and each state was analyzed based on those. After analyzing those, a Public Affairs Index (PAI) was drawn. 

Goa, at the top position, got a PAI score of 1.745, while Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh, which came in second and third position respectively in the small state category, achieved 0.797 and 0.725 PAI scores respectively. 

Kerala, which came as the best-governed state in the large state category, received a PAI score of 1.388. In fact, Goa, as compared to other states, has actually achieved a much better score as compared to other states. 

According to the Public Affairs Centre that prepared this report, the states were ranked based on their governance performance and then the composite index was prepared. 

This award is a result of collective efforts, hardwork and dedication of the people of Goa to excel in all spheres. I thank the PAC team led by Dr. Kasturirangan, for this recognition. https://t.co/XMRi6XFFdC

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) October 30, 2020

The governance performance is analyzed in the context of sustainable development defined by three pillars – equity, growth, and sustainability. As per information available, each state government was analyzed to see how it performed on these parameters, and then the yearly index was drawn. 

“The evidence that PAI 2020 generates and the insights that it provides must compel us to reflect on the economic and social transition that is underway in India,” K. Kasturirangan said. 

In this index, the worst-performing states were Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar, and they scored negative points in the PAI score. 

Reacting to this achievement, Chief Minster Pramod Sawant tweeted saying, “This award is a result of collective efforts, hard work, and dedication of the people of Goa to excel in all spheres. I thank the PAC team led by Dr. Kasturirangan, for this recognition,” he said.