New Delhi, October 12: India on Thursday rejected the World Bank’s first report on Human Capital Index (HCI), which placed India at the 115th position, lower than Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh. However, Singapore topped the list after it was highly rated for its universal health care system, education exams results and life expectancy figures. Singapore is followed by South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Finland.

The report ranked 157 economies on parameters like child mortality, health and education. The Finance ministry in its statement rejected the report. The ministry claimed that the HCI score for India does not reflect the key initiatives that are being taken for developing human capital in the country. The statement said, “Through the Ayushman Bharat Programme, India has now launched the world’s largest Health Insurance initiative providing 500 million citizens with adequate health coverage, and transforming 150,000 Health Centres into Wellness Centres to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services.”

The ministry also claimed that The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was launched to focus on access and quality of education for the benefit of 197 million school children. The statement also said that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana had reduced drudgery and improved the health of about 38 million women by providing them with LPG connection. The ministry also highlighted that Pradhan Mantri Jandhan Yojana had provided access to formal banking services to over 328 million persons. The ministry stated that the report overlooked the initiatives taken by the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).