The recent State Investment Potential Index survey conducted by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has left everyone surprised. The survey report saw Andhra Pradesh topping the most corrupted states list among the rest of Indian states, a fact which many can’t fathom.While Gujarat and Delhi were declared the most investment-friendly states in India, Bihar and Jharkhand were termed the worst. On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh took the number one spot for being the most corrupt state for doing business, followed by Tamil Nadu.
The report evolved an index to grade states on five main issues: infrastructure, political stability, economic climate and governance, labour and perceptions of a good business climate.The report contains 2 types of rankings: N-SIPI 21 and N-SIPI 30. While N-SIPI 21 ranks 21 states on the above issues, including through industry surveys, N-SIPI 30 includes all states including the rest of the 9 states not covered by industry surveys and are based on 4 issues, excluding perception.
The report further revealed that corruption is the biggest problem being faced by the business and industrial sector, followed by getting approvals. In Andhra Pradesh, 74.3% of respondents reported corruption as a severe problem in the industrial survey.Now, what left everyone startled in Andhra Pradesh was that there have been no big projects happening in the state. Since the beginning of his new government, CM Chandrababu has been pro-development and welcomed several national and international companies to set up their base in the state.
On the other hand, Babu has also introduced the free sand policy for new constructions. In addition, the land pooling and acquisition for Amaravati construction was done through notifications after the tribunal’s approval.Also, the Pattiseema is a state government projects which was completed without the participation of private sector. With the biometric system being implemented in full force, the corruption should have been drastically reduced and this latest report has certainly left Andhraites puzzled as they are wondering how AP still topped the NCAER’s most corrupted states list.