Odisha Partners with CEGIS to Launch Data-Driven Decision Support System
Five-year collaboration to strengthen governance, optimise policies, and enhance public services
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has joined hands with the Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) to launch a Decision Support System (DSS) designed to enable data-driven governance and evidence-backed policy decisions. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two entities at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall in Bhubaneswar, marking a major step in governance reforms for the state.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who called the partnership a crucial milestone in Odisha’s transformative journey. He stressed that placing data, evidence, and outcomes at the centre of public service delivery will help ensure effective, efficient, and equitable governance. “This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to serving the people with the highest standards of transparency and accountability,” he said.
**Five-Year Technical and Analytical Support**
Under the MoU, CEGIS will provide technical and analytical assistance to various state departments over the next five years. The aim is to strengthen policy formulation, optimise public expenditure, and improve service delivery systems. The collaboration will also institutionalise capacity-building measures to ensure long-term governance improvements.
The CEGIS Foundation, a non-profit organisation comprising over 150 professionals, will focus on leveraging data analytics, developing performance metrics, and fostering continuous improvements in administrative efficiency. By supporting Odisha in institutional strengthening, the organisation hopes to contribute meaningfully to the state’s developmental goals.
**Commitment to Seamless Public Services**
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja reiterated the state government’s commitment to delivering seamless public services by integrating technology and reducing bureaucratic delays. He emphasised that initiatives like the DSS will enable faster decision-making and more effective monitoring of government programmes.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg highlighted the importance of strong institutional capacity building, noting that improved data management and analytical capabilities will empower departments to meet their objectives more effectively.
**A Tool for Smarter Governance**
The DSS will act as a central tool for the government to make informed decisions based on reliable data and comprehensive analysis. CEGIS will assist in enhancing the state’s revenue potential, evaluating expenditure efficiency, and assessing the performance of energy utilities. The system will also support cross-departmental analysis, enabling better coordination and integrated planning.
The initiative aligns with Odisha’s long-term development visions for 2036 and 2047, which aim to build resilient institutions and promote sustainable growth. The government hopes that such data-led governance will not only improve efficiency but also strengthen public trust in state institutions.
**Formalising the Partnership**
The MoU was signed by Vineet Bharadwaj, Executive Director of the Centre for Modernising Government Initiative, on behalf of the Government of Odisha, and Dr. Vijay Pinage, CEO of CEGIS, on behalf of the foundation. Both signatories expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to transform governance practices in the state.
With the DSS initiative, Odisha positions itself as a frontrunner in adopting modern governance tools that integrate data analytics into everyday decision-making, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.
