WB ranks doctored?

WB ranks doctored?
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Highlights

The controversy over the World Bank ranking of states is further becoming murkier, as the Opposition questions the role of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of the Government of India. The main contention of the Opposition is that out of top six states ranked by the report, five are ruled by the BJP and the other is Andhra Pradesh ruled by its partner TDP.

Opposition sees Centre’s hidden hand

New Delhi: The controversy over the World Bank ranking of states is further becoming murkier, as the Opposition questions the role of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of the Government of India. The main contention of the Opposition is that out of top six states ranked by the report, five are ruled by the BJP and the other is Andhra Pradesh ruled by its partner TDP.

Interestingly, the second ranked Andhra Pradesh scored 70.12 per cent, while its sister Telangana scored just 42.45 percent with 13th rank. Ranking of Jharkhand (63.09), Chhattisgarh (62.45), MP (62) and Rajasthan (61.04) at 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively, clearly approves the Opposition allegation.

Perhaps, the authors of the report might not have considered the Telangana government’s Industrial Project Approval and Self Certification System (TSiPASS).Interestingly, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in clear terms, while clarifying to the media, said, “DIPP had provided its inputs for the WB survey.”

It means, while DIPP had provided needed inputs (it may also be opinion) other agencies, including World Bank, KPMG, CII, Ficci and ‘Make in India’ had given the ranks based on the Government of India inputs. Further, the cover of the report carries the logo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet programme, ‘Make in India.’

Also, the report was released in the presence of additional secretary of DIPP Shatrughna Singh, who complemented the agencies for preparing ‘thoroughly professional’ report. Further, adding to the controversy, the World Bank country director Onno Ruhl complemented the Government of India agency –DIPP – for their support in preparing the report.

The presentation points that the World Bank has brought into the picture just in August and the report is out in September, which strengthens the allegation of the TRS leaders about the conspiracy. Adding to the controversy, DIPP officials on condition of anonymity say that the report was sponsored by the government and the surveys will be organised in the next three years.

In fact, Telangana industrialists surprised with the World Bank ranking Telangana with 13th position, while AP gets second rank, especially, when both the states are competing to attract investments.

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