Odisha signs three-year pact with J-PAL South Asia for policymaking
The partnership aims to use research and data to support the state's development goals for 2036 and 2047.
The Government of Odisha signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia on Wednesday to bolster evidence-based policymaking. According to Pragativadi, the agreement is anchored in the Planning and Convergence Department to support the state's targets under Odisha Vision 2036 and Odisha Vision 2047.
Under the agreement, J-PAL South Asia will collaborate with state departments to find priority challenges, conduct evaluations, and turn research into policy recommendations. The partnership builds on a relationship between the two organisations that began in 2006, covering sectors such as agriculture, sanitation, gender equity, and early childhood education.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the state aims to achieve Viksit Odisha as part of Viksit Bharat. She noted that the state intends to engage research institutions to pilot innovations and use data and artificial intelligence interventions. Garg stated that J-PAL South Asia will help bring global evidence to state priorities and assist in testing solutions before they are scaled up.
Shobhini Mukerji, Executive Director of J-PAL South Asia, said Odisha has been a pioneer in using evidence. She said the partnership would focus on adapting global research to local needs and co-developing programmes.
A Steering Committee led by the Chief Secretary will meet every six months to review projects. Nodal officers from both the government and J-PAL South Asia will manage daily coordination, with specific project scopes to be decided by individual departments.