Dikhyaa Mohanty 
As per the latest Public Affairs Index, a measure of states’ governance prepared by Bengaluru-based think-tank Public Affairs Centre (PAC), Odisha has been placed at 17th position after Uttar Pradesh among 18 big states with an equity score of minus 1.462.
According to the reports, the index ranking has been calculated as per the performance of the states based on three broad factors – equity, growth and sustainability, which comprise a total of 43 indicators. The equity score is based on five themes – effectiveness of government, control over corruption, voice and accountability, rule of law and regulatory quality.
Stated like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have bettered their position, Odisha has been down to two places as compared to last year despite a positively moderate performance in the growth and sustainability indicators. It scored of minus 1.155 and was ranked 15th in 2020.
The State is performing consistently among the bottom states over the years under the equity category since the PAC released the index data in 2016. It was ranked 16th in 2019, 17th in 2018, 16th in 2017 and 17th in 2016.
However, there is a silver lining as Odisha fared better in the scheme of things. The study analysed whether the better performance of states in schemes reflects better governance. Even as states like Odisha performed well in the implementation of schemes in terms of coverage and access, there was no improvement in governance.
The State topped in implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), ranked second in Samagra Sikhya Abhiyan (SmSA), third in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), fifth in Mid-Day Meal (MDM) and eighth in National Health Mission (NHM).
