Chandigarh has been rated the best governed Union Territory (UT) in the country in the Public Affairs Index-2020 released by the Public Affairs Centre in Bengaluru.

In the category of UT, Chandigarh emerged as the best governed with 1.05 points, followed by Puducherry (0.52) and Lakshadweep (0.003). Dadar and Nagar Haveli (-0.69), Jammu and Kashmir (-0.50) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (-0.30) were the least performers.

In the large state category, Kerala was adjudged the best governed state in the country while Uttar Pradesh ended at the bottom.

In its annual report, the not-for-profit organisation, headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Kasturirangan, said the UTs and states were ranked on governance performance based on a composite index in the context of sustainable development defined by three pillars of equity, growth and sustainability.

In the small state category, Goa ranked first with 1.745 points, followed by Meghalaya (0.797) and Himachal Pradesh (0.725).

Worst performers who scored negative points are Manipur (-0.363), Delhi (-0.289) and Uttarakhand (-0.277), according to the PAC report.

Chandigarh emerged the best governed union territory in the category of UTs with 1.05 PAI points, followed by Puducherry (0.52) and Lakshadweep (0.003). Dadar and Nagar Haveli (-0.69), Andaman, Jammu and Kashmir (-0.50) and Nicobar (-0.30) were the least performers.

According to the PAC, the governance performance is analysed in the context of sustainable development defined by three pillars of equity, growth and sustainability.

A senior UT official said the Administration had taken a number of initiatives to upgrade the infrastructure in the city to boost economic growth in the region. “Chandigarh has emerged as a regional hub in the areas of service industry, education, health, information technology, etc,” he said, adding that Chandigarh had also ranked first in India in the Human Development Index, quality of life and e-readiness. He said the UT had been rated as the ‘wealthiest town’ of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Kasturirangan said: “The evidence that PAI 2020 generates and the insights that it provides must compel us to reflect on the economic and social transition that is underway in India.”