India follows a holistic approach towards its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2018-19 in the Parliament today. The Survey states that India continues to target and maintain its economic growth, by introducing and implementing various policies and measures relating to sustainable development, climate change, resource efficiency and air pollution.

The survey states that in adoption of 2030 global agenda, countries are moving forward for achieving a world free from poverty, gender inequality and economic inequality and thereby ensuring a healthy planet for future generations. These goals are multi-dimensional and integrate various social, economic and environmental dimensions.

India follows a holistic approach towards its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by launching various schemes. India’s SDG Index Score ranges between 42 and 69 for States and between 57and 68 for UTs. Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the front runners amongst all the States with a score of 69, Chandigarh and Puducherry are the front runners with a score of 68 and 65 respectively among the UT’s, the Survey states.

Policy Initiatives for Sustainable Development
The Survey cites current Government of India policies in direction of achieving SDGs. These include Swachh Bharat mission, Beti Bacho Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana, Smart Cities, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana and Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana, among others.

The Namami Gange Mission- a key policy priority towards achieving the SDG 6 – was launched as a priority programme with a budget outlay of Rs.20,000 crores for the period 2015-2020. Major components include sewerage project management, urban and rural sanitation, tackling industrial pollution, water use efficiency and quality improvement, ecosystem conservation and Clean Ganga Fund, among others.