By Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has performed poorly in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and figures at the bottom of the list of Union Territories with a score of 59 out of 100.
NITI Aayog, with the support of United Nations, has developed SDG India index, a comprehensive index to measure progress of states and union territories, through a single measurable index and the first baseline report for 2018.
These rankings are based on 169 targets and the 17 goals, including healthcare, gender equality, clean energy, infrastructure, education, peace and building strong and accountable institutions.
The composite score ranges from 0 to 100 and denotes the overall achievement of the State/ UT in achieving the targets under the goals. States with 100 per cent score are categorized as achievers.
A state with a score between 65 and 99 are front-runners, 50 and 64 performers and 0-49 score as aspirants.
Like in 2018, the UT of Jammu and Kashmir has remained stagnated at 20th spot in 2019 as well and surpassed only Ladakh, which too got 59 rank.
As per the report, Jammu and Kashmir was leading in only two categories – No Poverty with 58 score and Gender Equality with 53 score. The erstwhile state has been listed a “performer” after achieving a rank of 59 against national average of 60.
In categories zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education,clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, J&K scored 55, 62, 54, 65, 76 and 48 points respectively.
In industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, sustainable consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace justice and strong institutions and partnership, J&K scored 49, 47, 33,61,59,0,74,69 and 0 points respectively.
As per index, Kerala has topped the list after earning a score of 70 against national average of 60. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana,which got a score of 69, 67 and 67 respectively.
On the other hand, UP, Sikkim and Odisha were among maximum improved states.
Uttar Pradesh has improved its overall score from 42 in 2018 to 55 in 2019, and is the highest gainer.Odisha stands second in overall improvement, with an increase of 7 points, from 51 to 58.
Sikkim is the third best State in overall improvement: from a score of 58 to that of 65, indicating an increase by 7 points
A score of 100 implies that the State/ UT has achieved the targets set for 2030; a score of 0 implies that the particular State/ UT is at the bottom of the table.
