Odisha is gearing up to boost its data game with some big help from the World Bank. On Thursday, top officials in Bhubaneswar held a key meeting to push forward the Externally Aided Project for Strengthening the State Statistical System. This initiative ties into Odisha’s bigger vision for capable governance and resilient growth.
The meeting, hosted at the Planning and Coordination Conference Hall, was led by Anu Garg, Odisha’s Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary. Key attendees included D.K. Jena, OSD-cum-Special Secretary in the Planning and Coordination Department. Dr. Bijaya Bhusan Nanda, Director of Economics and Statistics, shared updates on how the state is ramping up its statistical setup. The World Bank team, headed by Thomas and including Shreya Dutta, laid out a clear roadmap for the project.
Anu Garg stressed that Odisha sees data as a game-changer for real transformation. “We’re putting the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) right at the center of this effort,” she said. It’s all about smart, evidence-based governance to achieve Viksit Odisha by 2036 and 2047, where decisions drive real impact.
In a first for India, Odisha has fully adopted the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) framework. This international standard now guides the state’s statistical practices, making data collection and analysis more reliable and efficient.
Odisha also leads the pack by launching the National Data Archive (NADA) as its official data catalogue. This move creates an easy way for everyone—from citizens and researchers to policymakers—to store, access, and crunch data like never before.
The state has rolled out Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) software for gathering price statistics, speeding up surveys and cutting errors. Plans are underway to set up a Survey Design & Research Division (SDRD) inside DES. This new unit will handle independent, science-backed household surveys, ensuring data gets collected, checked, and explained properly.
To sharpen economic planning at the district level, Odisha will speed up District Domestic Product (DDP) estimates. They’ll bring in experts and train DES staff for better local policies that hit the ground running.
A full digital makeover awaits DES outputs too. Expect quicker production, faster sharing, and more transparency in all statistical reports.
The project won’t stop at DES—it’s expanding to strengthen stats systems across departments. In phase one, DES will review setups in the Energy, Tourism, and Housing and Urban Development Departments, then propose upgrades.
Odisha’s DES team will head abroad for training on global best practices. These experts will come back to train others, spreading skills statewide. The big goal? Make data simple, open, and useful for everyone. As Garg put it, the state aims to “demystify data” so it’s easy to grasp and powers smart decisions.
The meeting wrapped up on a high note, with thanks to the chair and a shared excitement: When we handle data with honesty and fresh ideas, it turns into a real driver for change in Odisha’s development journey.
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