'Methodology used to rank Hyd 24th in Ease of Living index improper'

Hyderabad, Mar 5 (PTI) GHMC Mayor Vijaya Laxmi R Gadwal
on Friday took exception to the Urban Affairs Ministry ranking
Hyderabad 24th in the 'Ease of Living Index' and alleged that
the methodology used to determine it was improper.
The people would not accept it "as the city is marching
ahead in development and provision of basic facilities," she
said.
Several international survey agencies, public and private
organisations have announced that Hyderabad, with its good
living standards, basic facilities, law and order and rapid
pace of development, meets the standards of being a best city,
Gadwal said.
Certain agencies have declared the city to be a best
liveable city for five years in a row, she said.
"Against this backdrop, it is felt that there is a
political motive to the Ministry announcing 24th rank to the
city," she said
The methodology and (information collection)
questionnaire used for determination of ranks was improper,
she alleged in a release.
The Mayor questioned the relevance of giving only 35
marks for the criteria of education, health and drinking water
and 15 to economic parameters.
Citizen services, which has enormous significance, has
not been mentioned in the survey, she said.
She pointed out that Hyderabad, known as the 'city of
pearls, is home to a number of multinational companies and
reputed global firms.
Gadwal said that while the report on crime rate prepared
by the National Crime Records Bureau should have been taken
into consideration vis-a-vis law and order, only the criterion
of murders was considered.
She suggested that the Ministry correct the "defects" in
the methodology used for determination of ranks in the index.
Highlighting various development initiatives in Hyderabad
in the last five years, she said over 225 'basti dawakhanas'
(clinics in residential localities) had been set up to serve
the poor.
Under the Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP),
several fly-overs, underpasses, railway over bridges and link
roads have been taken up, she added.
'Ease of Living Index' is an assessment tool that
evaluates the quality of life and the impact of various
initiatives for urban development, the centre has said.
A total of 32.2 lakh people residing across 111
cities participated in a 'Citizen Perception Survey' holding a
weightage of 30 per cent.
Performance of the cities was measured on four broad
parameters, governance and social, physical and economic
infrastructure.
Bengaluru was adjudged the most livable among 111 cities
in India in the 'Ease of Living Index' on Thursday, followed
by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore,
Vadodara, Indore and Greater Mumbai. PTI SJR APR
ADMINISTRATOR
APR
ADMINISTRATOR

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)