Odisha signs three-year pact with J-PAL South Asia for policy research
The partnership aims to support the state's development goals under the Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 frameworks.
The Odisha government entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia on Wednesday. According to Odisha Bytes, the agreement seeks to bolster evidence-based policymaking to meet the state's development objectives under Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047.
Under the terms of the deal, J-PAL South Asia will collaborate with various state departments to pinpoint policy challenges, produce research, and provide actionable recommendations. The partnership builds on an association between the two organisations that began in 2006, covering sectors such as agriculture, sanitation, governance, and gender equality.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that the state aims to achieve Viksit Odisha as part of Viksit Bharat. Garg said the state intends to engage research institutions to pilot innovations and use data and artificial intelligence-based interventions. She identified three roles for J-PAL: providing global evidence, adapting approaches to local needs, and testing solutions before scaling them.
J-PAL South Asia Executive Director Shobhini Mukerji said the partnership would help bring global research to local priorities and build on the state's existing monitoring and evaluation capabilities. One existing initiative mentioned is 'Barnali', a gender-equity curriculum used in approximately 23,000 government schools.
A Steering Committee led by the Chief Secretary will oversee the collaboration. This committee, which includes senior officials and J-PAL South Asia representatives, is scheduled to meet every six months to evaluate project proposals. Nodal officers from both sides will manage daily implementation.