Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Jammu and Kashmir has bagged first place for its performance in health sector among big States while Manipur has bagged top slot in small State category.
Gujarat has topped as most improved big State for second consecutive year in row while Delhi was found to be the most improved small State.
The 10th annual India Today ranking of the 30 States based on improvement over the last year was announced today at the India Today State of the States conclave held in New Delhi.
In health sector, Jammu and Kashmir bagged the first place for second consecutive year. J&K was followed by Haryana at second spot and Chhattisgarh at third place.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah received the award from Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at India Today conclave in New Delhi for J&K’s first place in health sector.
In education, J&K was ranked fifth behind Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. The J&K jumped in education from last year’s 13th place to stand fifth this year.
Chief Minister of 7 States including J&K Meghalaya, Mizoram, Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi attended the conclave while Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was the chief guest.
The study was conducted by India Today in association with economics research firm Indicus Analytics.
Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were given two special awards as the two States that emerged first and second among the 10 best performers in the past decade. These special awards mark the 10th anniversary of the State of the States survey, launched in 2003, a statement issued by the India Today group said.
The States were ranked on the basis of the improvement recorded between 2011 and 2012 across eight categories: agriculture, consumer market, primary health, primary education, governance, infrastructure, investment and macro economy.
In addition, an overall category aggregated the performance of States across the eight sectoral categories.
For governance, Kerala has bagged the award in the big state category and Goa in the small state category.
For infrastructure, in the big state Maharashtra was adjudged as the best and Delhi in the small State.
Addressing the conclave, Omar said that his Government has flagged health as one of the most important concerns in the development policy of the State adding that focused attention is being paid to upgrade basic health needs in the State.
He said that the primary, secondary and super specialty health care sectors are receiving equal attention of the Government to universalize modern health facilities in the State. He said that while hospitals and health centers in rural areas are being equipped with adequate medical and para medical staff, the necessary investigation facilities are being put in place in these centers besides modern health gadgets.
Omar said that like other sectors health sector also received severe setback during the long period of militancy. He said the sustained efforts of his Government have helped to bring this important sector back on rail along with other public services delivering sectors.
He said that the bagging of No. 1 State award by Jammu and Kashmir in health sector for two consecutive years is indicative of the improvement achieved in this sector by the State.
He said that his Government has laid emphasis on strengthening of institutions in health, education and other sectors to reach out to the people across the State and ensure equitable and balanced development. He said during the last three and half years various new initiatives have been introduced to give fillip to the growth and development of these sectors and the results achieved are amply visible on the ground.
Omar said that under a sustained approach strengthening of institutions is receiving continuous attention which would be carried forward with added zeal and commitment during the coming years.
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