Agartala, Jun 04, 2021, ENEWSTIME Desk
Starting from a scratch in 2018, Tripura jumped forward and emerged as ‘Front Runner’ State in 2020-21 FY as per the latest edition of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index of NITI Aayog.
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb hailed the elevation of Tripura to ‘Front Runner’ State from ‘Performer State’ category in the SDG Index of Niti Aayog for 2020-21.
Importantly, the State has scored commendable points in achieving the target of keeping the per capita fuel consumption, plastic and hazardous waste generation at a level to achieve the SDG target by 2030. Moreover, Tripura is in top position among the NE States in eradicating poverty.
“The elevation is a matter of pride for the State. Compared to previous Financial Year, our State registered a higher score – 65 in 2020-21 compared to 58 in 2019-2020. Tripura has maintained its forward march in Health, Education, Climate, Cleanliness, Poverty eradication, Hunger etc sustainable Development Indices” Deb said.
Notably, the first edition of the SDG India Index was launched in December 2018, using 62 indicators from 39 targets across 13 SDGs. At present the Index has been prepared across 15 SDGs. The Index offers insights into social, economic, and environmental status of the country and the States/UTs in their march towards achieving the SDGs.
Tripura has scored 65 in 2020-21 - the score when translated in words implies that Tripura has made 65 per cent progress in achieving the target of SDG in 2030 while a score of 100 implies achievement of SDGs 2030. Despite global economic meltdown and Covid pandemic, Tripura managed to keep it development on track and improved its Index score from 58 in 2019-20 to 65 in 2020-21.
In the process of elevation, Tripura has made progress at a better rate than bigger States like Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam etc.
In the SDG Index, Tripura captured the top position in case of SDG 12 with a score of 99. This goal measures performance towards the Goal of Responsible Consumption and Production. Under this goal, per capita plastic waste generation is a crucial factor in which Tripura along with Mizoram and Sikkim generated the least.
In case of SDG 10 – this one measures India’s performance towards the Goal of Reduced Inequalities, Tripura has bagged second position and scored 85 in this category. Meghalaya topped in this category. This goal aims to have equal representation of men and women in elected bodies.
Tripura also recorded an impressive score of 83 in SDG 7 which measures India’s performance towards the Goal of Affordable and Clean Energy.
The first of Goals, SDG 1 measures performance towards the Goal of “No Poverty” and in this category Tripura has scored 82. Tripura bagged the top position among NE States and overall, the fourth position – just behind Kerala.
Last but not the least, SDG 16 which focuses on Peace, stability and effective governance based on rule-of-law and upholding the principles of equality, human rights and justice are prerequisites for sustainable development, Tripura registered 80 in the Index.
Commenting on the SDG Index report, Biplab Kumar Deb referred to ongoing Pandemic situation and said, out of the three years of incumbent BJP-IPFT Government, around 21 months have passed in dealing with the Covid menace – however, developmental activities continued. In fact, in every sector, Tripura has marked progress and the prestige of the State has brightened up, he commented and added, “I hope, with the blessings of the people of Tripura, we will continue to move forward in building the “Shrestha Tripura”.