What’s in the news?

• The Government of India has released the Devolution Index (DI) ranking of the Panchayat Raj system among States in India.
• States/UTs were ranked according to the overall panchayat DI and six key dimensions of framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, and accountability. 
• The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, prepared the report.

Highlights of the Index

• The report notes that Karnataka ranks first with an overall index score of 72.23 followed by Kerala (70.59), Tamil Nadu (68.38), and Maharashtra (61.44). 
  • Karnataka also secured the highest scores in parameters such as finances and accountability.
• Bihar along with the north-eastern and hilly States of Assam, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand emerged as moderate scorers but with values above the national average of 43.89.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-tops-in-devolution-index-ranking-of-panchayat-raj-system/article69222864.ece