The Policy Monitor
Odisha with its all-round preparation and fight against COVID has seen positive results. The second Covid-19 wave has been now under control in Odisha with cases declining by 0.5- 1% daily. For every 1 lakh population around 28,500 have been tested. The recovery ratio has reached a high of 92%.
Overall, in NITI Aayog’s SDG Index, Bihar is positioned last with Index score of 50, while Kerala (70) stands at top followed by Himachal Pradesh (69) and Andhra Pradesh (67), with India’s average index score being 60. This is also supported by above report findings where we observe that Bihar has ranked poorly on parameters of poverty alleviation, zero hunger, food security, health and education.
The immediate need is to prioritize high-impact and cost-effective interventions at India’s current stage of development — such as finishing the agenda on infectious diseases, which the government should fund fully. The Health & Wellness Centres — with their promise of comprehensive primary care — has to be accorded top most priority.
In the times to come, climate protection and adaptation investments will become a precondition for peace and stability, and will require unprecedented efforts to transform societies, economies, infrastructures and governance institutions.