New Delhi: Gujarat has emerged as the top performer among the larger states category in NITI Ayog’s State Energy and Climate Index while Goa and Chandigarh secured top position among smaller states and Union Territories (UTs) category, respectively.
Kerala acquired a second position followed by Punjab in the larger states category, an official statement said today.
“Goa, emerged as the top-performing state in the smaller states category, followed by Tripura, and Manipur,” it added.
NITI Aayog has released the State Energy & Climate Index-Round I today based on six parameters—DISCOM’s Performance; Access, Affordability and Reliability of Energy; Clean Energy Initiatives; Energy Efficiency; Environmental Sustainability; and New Initiatives.
The parameters are further divided into 27 indicators. Based on the composite SECI Round I score, the states and UTs are categorized into three groups: Front Runners, Achievers, and Aspirants.
The states have been categorized based on size and geographical differences as larger states, smaller states, and UTs, the release said.
Among UTs, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli are the top performers.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog said that there is a need to convert our efforts towards achieving the ‘Panchamrit’ targets announced by the PM at COP-26, Glasgow into a peoples’ movement.
“In order to do this, the role of the States is going to be critical. Governance innovation and mutual learning by states shall go a long way in improving outcomes and SECI Round I is the right step in this direction,” he added.
Dr V.K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, remarked that synergy and partnership among the Centre and the States will be critical for achieving energy and climate-related goals and making the country self-reliant in the energy sector.
He said that after extensive discussions with stakeholders, several key parameters have been identified to track and rank the performance of the states in this report.
Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog said, “Achieving the ambitious climate targets would require a conducive policy environment to encourage investment.”
He also remarked that the State Energy & Climate Index Round-I will help initiate a dialogue with the states on the energy sector so that many required policy improvements can be made.
Secretary Power appreciated the work taken up by NITI Aayog for coming out with State Energy & Climate Index.
He stressed that clean energy transition is inevitable. The role of DISCOMs is paramount and their viability is the crux. He pointed out that regulatory assets at the same time need to be liquidated which is making DISCOMs unviable.
