The article begins by acknowledging Good Governance Day (25th December), during which the Government of India released the Good Governance Index 2021 (GGI). The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) prepared the index under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Earlier in the year, India was positioned 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI).
About the Good Governance Index (GGI)
The Good Governance Index is a complete, implementable structure to evaluate the state of governance across different states and Union Territories (UTs) in India. The goal of creating this index provides a uniform tool to measure the impact of various interventions initiated by central and state governments, including UTs.
With the GGI framework, it gives a comparative view among states, fostering a competitive spirit for improvements. The 2021 GGI has reported that 20 states have improved their composite GGI scores from the 2019 index.
The GGI is envisioned as a biannual exercise, analyzed based on ten sectors and 58 indicators. The ten sectors include Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Commerce and Industries, Human Resource Development, Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Utilities, Economic Governance, Social Welfare and Development, Judicial and Public Security, Environment, and Citizen-Centric Governance.
Ranking and Categorisation of States
The Good Governance Index segregates states and UTs into four categories for easier understanding. In Group A, which consists of certain states, Gujarat topped the ranking for Good Governance Index 2021 in respect of 10 sectors, followed by Maharashtra and Goa.
In Group B, which also comprises certain other states, Madhya Pradesh stands first, followed by Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Among the North-East and Hill states, Himachal Pradesh takes the lead, accompanied by Mizoram and Uttarakhand.
Lastly, among Union Territories, Delhi has topped the composite ranking, marking a 14% enhancement from GGI 2019.
Other Initiatives for Good Governance
Aside from the Good Governance Index, several other initiatives have been adopted for promoting good governance in India. National e-Governance Plan and Right to Information Act, established in 2005, are such initiatives.
Digital India and MyGov are also noteworthy initiatives aimed at enhancing e-governance and ensuring transparency and accountability in government processes. These programs aim to use technology efficiently for improving public service delivery and ensuring the participation of citizens in governance.
Such continued assessments and initiatives could prove invaluable for India’s quest towards holistic development and good governance. The goal is not just to identify gaps and areas of improvement but use the data as an incentive for states and UTs to improve their governance models.
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