The Public Affairs Centre (PAC), a non-profit research think-tank in Bengaluru recently released it’s third edition of the Public Affairs Index (PAI), wherein Maharashtra ranked 6th in the large state category and 7th overall in the line up of the best governed states in India.
PAC works at improving the quality of governance in India. The PAC examines the states of India as represented through the quality and levels of their governance and arrive at the PAI, which is an aggregation of ten broad themes: (essential infrastructure, support to human development, social protection, women and children, crime, law and order, delivery of justice, environment, transparency and accountability, fiscal management and economic freedom)
The comparative study factored 68 indicators and covered 25 focus subjects and 10 broad themes for all the Indian states. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Gujarat, were the top five in the large states category. However, Maharashtra slipped from the 4th position in 2016 to 6th in 2018.
Large state: with a population of over 2 crores
Small states: with less than two crores
Top 7 in overall ranking: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Himachal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra
Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar ranked the lowest on the PAI.
Pune’s informed citizens believe that there are several concerns and gaps in governance that prevented Maharashtra from making it to the top five.
“Just look at the current situation of the former financial capital of the country, it is drowning,” quotes Karan Arora, a social worker at an animal care NGO. “When it comes to infrastructure, we have among the worst of the lot. The monsoon reveals the real picture of our infrastructure and state of preparedness, what with bridges and building collapsing every week and taking the lives of many.
“Almost daily, one can see a couple of PMPML buses stalled enroute thanks to the lack of maintenance. This is our state and the reason why we aren’t on par with Kerala.
I hope this comes as an eye opener for the men in power! If the richest city has to suffer through such petty issues, then what’s the point?”
Maharashtra, incidentally stood 9th in having essential infrastructure in the overall category.
“Traffic sense and management is the worst in Pune,” says a city-based doctor. “I get stuck for hours on the gunjan theater to shastri nagar chowk and even Mundwa road. Adding to the menace are the drivers who do not have any lane discipline.
Roads are dug up everywhere and drains are not properly concealed too. The construction of bridges and underpasses mid-way only increase the nightmare. Drains are overflowing. It is no surprise that we couldn’t even make it to the top five,” he adds.
Speak about pollution and it’s as bad as smoking multiple cigarettes, quotes Shrishti Singh, a designer.
“This recent report shook me. How come Pune has such bad air quality? Yet, soon enough, I realised the issues. Reckless cutting of trees for buildings is the same in Mumbai as well.
I seriously think issues like pollution control, sanitation and overall urban planning needs more effort to be able to achieve our objectives of being a good city and state” adds Singh.
“Women safety is an increasing concern in the state now-a-days,” says Anokhi Gill, an IT professional “Not ever women would agree to it, but people like us who have to commute at odd times can sense the change in the environment.
Pune never felt unsafe four years ago, but now I dread driving a vehicle through an empty lane fearing that I may be groped,” she adds.
The official figures in National Crime Records Bureau reveal that there are over a hundred rapes a day in the country. The PAI also suggest that the state stands in the 19th position when it comes to treating its women.
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#All views expressed are those of the respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.
Reach her at loveleen@pune365.com or tweet @KaurKaur18
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