In News:

• Launch of the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024 report and the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2024 awards in New Delhi.

Key Highlights:

• Objective of LEADS 2024 Report:
  • Evaluate logistics performance across Indian states and union territories.
  • Provide actionable insights for logistics reforms to foster competitive federalism.
  • Assess logistics infrastructure, services, regulatory environment, and sustainability efforts.
• Performance Evaluation:

Region                                Achievers                                                                              Fast Movers                                                                                         Aspirers

Coastal States                    Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu        Andhra Pradesh, Goa                                                                             Kerala, West Bengal

Landlocked States             Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand                Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan            Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand

North-Eastern States        Assam, Arunachal Pradesh                                                   Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura                                 Manipur

Union Territories               Chandigarh, Delhi                                                               Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir,         Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh

                                                                                                                                          Lakshadweep, Puducherry

• Key Remarks:
  • Action Plans for Better Logistics: States should develop regional and city-level logistics plans, including for last-mile connectivity, to attract investments.
  • Green Logistics: Advocate for sustainable logistics practices to ensure environmentally responsible growth.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage PPPs to promote multi-modal hubs and streamline logistics infrastructure.
  • Technological Integration: Push for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics to enhance efficiency in logistics operations.
  • Skill Development & Gender Inclusivity: Focus on workforce inclusivity and skill development to boost sectoral growth. Promote gender diversity in logistics.
  • LEAD Framework: Urge logistics sectors to embrace the LEAD framework (Longevity, Efficiency, Accessibility, Digitalisation) for transformation.
• LEAD Framework and Recommendations:
  • Longevity, Efficiency, and Effectiveness: Improve long-term logistics strategies.
  • Accessibility and Accountability: Ensure better reach and transparent logistics practices.
  • Digitalisation: Enhance digital transformation across logistics processes.
• About LEADS:
  • Full Form: Logistics Ease Across Different States.
  • Launched: 2018 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Purpose: To assess and improve logistics infrastructure and services across Indian states and UTs.
  • Methodology: Based on over 7,300 responses from a pan-India survey and inputs from over 750 stakeholder consultations.
• LEAPS 2024 Awards: Recognized excellence in the logistics sector across categories such as air, rail, road, maritime freight service providers, startups, MSMEs, and educational institutions.
• PM GatiShakti Course: Launched a 15-hour online course on “PM GatiShakti Concept for Efficient Infrastructure Planning and National Development”, hosted on iGOT Karmayogi platform and UGC SWAYAM portal.
• Logistics Cost Framework Report: Unveiled a report on the logistics cost framework, aiming to accurately estimate logistics costs in India through a hybrid methodology, incorporating both EXIM and domestic cargo data.
• Significance of LEADS:
  • Provides critical insights into logistics performance, helping States and UTs to improve infrastructure, services, and regulatory practices.
  • Plays a key role in India's vision of becoming a $32 trillion economy by 2047 by improving logistics efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness.