Odisha Partners with CEGIS to Launch Decision Support System for Data-Driven Governance

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has signed a five-year non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) to launch a Decision Support System (DSS) aimed at enabling data-driven governance backed by analytical evidence. The initiative is part of the state’s “Viksit Odisha” vision and focuses on institutionalizing capacity building across departments.

The MoU signing took place at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall, Lok Seva Bhawan, in the presence of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who described the partnership as a “significant step towards governance reforms” and a move to put “data, evidence, and outcomes at the heart of public service delivery.” He emphasized the state government’s commitment to smarter, targeted, and responsive solutions, aligning with Odisha’s development goals for 2036 and 2047.

Over the next five years, CEGIS will provide technical and analytical support across various sectors, assisting in policy formulation, optimizing expenditure, and enhancing public service delivery. The Deputy CM urged all departments to actively engage in the collaboration.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja highlighted the government’s commitment to seamless public service delivery, leveraging technology and training to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles. Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg stressed the importance of capacity building for large-scale government initiatives, expressing confidence that the partnership will help achieve long-term governance objectives.

The MoU was signed by Vineet Bharadwaj, Executive Director, Centre for Modernizing Government Initiative (CMGI), on behalf of the Government of Odisha, and Dr. Vijay Pingale, CEO of CEGIS Foundation. CEGIS Co-Founder Prof. Kartik Muralidharan and Dr. Pingale outlined the DSS’s role in supporting decision-making in social sectors, financial analytics, and institutional strengthening.

Founded as a non-profit with over 150 professionals, CEGIS works with multiple Government of India institutions, including NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, and the Capacity Building Commission.