Delhi's 71% enrollment ratio indicates poor HDI: Study

New Delhi, Mar 26 (UNI) The national capital ranks low on Human Development Index (HDI) despite a per capita income of over Rs 34,000 per annum, an industry body said here today.

According to Assocham's assessment on Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of various lead states, the capital's ranking, which slipped from 16th to 17th, indicates that its Human Development Index (HDI) is one of the lowest despite the city boasting of economic supremacy.

Pointing out as to why capital's ranking has slipped, Assocham president Venugopal N Dhoot said in Delhi, its government focussed more on improving the physical infrastructure such as roads, telecom, construction, real estate, erecting malls while the emphasis on improving educational infrastructure has been negligible.

Tamil Nadu has secured the top ranking in enrolling students at its primary and upper primary levels with 100 per cent GER, according to official estimates.

Citing the reasons for higher GER in Tamil Nadu, he said, ''ICT schemes in the state are best implemented and it offer the most lucrative scholarships to students up to primary and upper primary evels through private sector participation.'' ''Second shifts of education become more acceptable in the State as aggressive expansion of technical education institutions have been done in the last four-five years with girl students getting hostel and eating facilities as a result of which its GER became the highest in the country,'' he said in a statement.

Notably, according to 2001-02 official estimates, Assam had the highest GER which is now far below Tamil Nadu.

GER is basic indicative of the human resource development index as the higher the GER, the better is HDI.

India's ranking in HDI is 128th globally as the enrolments at primary and upper primary levels are not satisfactory.

Himachal Pradesh is another lead state in the North India and it has secured the second ranking in GER as student enrolment at its primary and upper primary center is near 100 per cent, followed by Mizoram which ranks third.

Manipur has the fourth ranking, followed by Goa, Tripura, Kerala Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.

With highest per capita income of over Rs 40,000 per annum, Chandigarh's GER is about 96 per cent.

For the large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, it falls below 20th ranking and their enrolment stand at primary and upper primary levels is about 80 per cent, indicating abysmal HDI.

All State Governments, including Union Territories should concentrate more towards creation of primary and upper primary schools in a fashion so that their enrolment ratio increase, the industry body suggested.

This should be possible provided the concerned government ensure better implementation of schemes like Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and subsidies provided under such schemes reach the targeted group.

The Chamber is also of the view that India's global ranking of HDI index would improve from current 128, provided at least at primary and secondary levels, basic education is provided to all with adequate inspirations to motivate students to go beyond upper primary levels and improve their living standards.

UNI SG PDT AS1729