Niti Aayog seeks inputs from state goverment on indicators of ease of living

PANAJI: The Niti Aayog has written to the state government seeking information on key indicators to prepare the Ease of Living Index. It has also asked the state government to identify 100 steps taken by the Manohar Parrikar-led government to improve the ease of living of common people.
National Institution for Transforming India (Niti) CEO Amitabh Kant has written to chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma seeking inputs as Niti Aayog intends to announce district-wise Ease of Living Index by the end of the month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on improving ease of living for the people on many occasions. Niti Aayog has identified three pillars which determine ease of living — basic needs, including safety and shelter, elements of welfare, and scope for betterment of human life.
“We have identified key monitorable indicators in each of the areas. This would enable us to develop Ease of Living Index of every state as well as district of India,” Kant stated in the letter. “It would be an useful tool for fine-tuning various government programmes being implemented.”
The Goa State Pollution Control Board, Goa Waste Management Corporation, Goa State Biodiversity Board, department of municipal administration and Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd have been asked to provide information on “top-priority” basis. However, even though Kant wrote to Sharma on August 16 seeking the state’s inputs, director of environment Ravi Jha wrote to three departments requesting for the information only on September 20. TOI has a copy of the letters.
The deadline to submit the information to the Niti Aayog was September 19, but the note seeking inputs was issued only on September 20.
The Centre has issued multiple reminders to the state government seeking the inputs.