Andhra Pradesh gets 1st rank for quality of life in government's 'Ease of Living Index' 

Andhra Pradesh has been named the best state in the country in the 'Ease of Living Index' rankings under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), news agency PTI reported.

Odisha comes second on the list whereas the third spot is taken by Madhya Pradesh, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs ministry said on Monday.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the index will encourage all cities to move towards an "outcome-based" approach to urban planning and management, and promote healthy competition among cities.

"The Ease of Living Index seeks to assist cities in undertaking a 360-degree assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats," Puri spoke at a National Dissemination Workshop on 'Ease of Living Index'.

AMRUT was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015 with an aim to ensure robust sewage networks, water supply and other infrastructure to improve the quality of life in urban areas.

Puri shared that the index marked a "major milestone" in India's goal to promote evidence-based planning and action towards sustainable urbanisation.

The minister hoped that the National Dissemination Workshop would provide an opportunity for states and cities to offer their valuable suggestions and also use lessons learnt from the previous index rankings to ensure a more robust methodology in the future.