The agreement aims to strengthen policymaking through research, data, and innovation to support the state's long-term development visions.
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 November 5 to enhance evidence-based policymaking. According to The News Mill, the agreement was signed by Rashmi Kabi, FA-cum-Additional Secretary of the Planning & Convergence Department, and Shobhini Mukerji, Executive Director of J-PAL South Asia.
The partnership will involve J-PAL South Asia working with various government departments to identify policy challenges, produce rigorous evidence, and convert research findings into actionable recommendations. J-PAL South Asia is hosted at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai.
The collaboration supports Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047, which aim for the state to become Samruddha Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Odisha by 2047. J-PAL South Asia has been engaged in Odisha since 2006 across sectors including agriculture, sanitation, governance, and early childhood education.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the state's vision includes engaging research institutions and adopting data- and AI-based interventions. Garg stated that J-PAL South Asia's role is to bring global evidence to state priorities, adapt approaches to local needs, and support the testing of solutions before they are scaled.
Shobhini Mukerji said the partnership will focus on bringing global evidence, adapting it to local needs, and co-developing programmes. The collaboration will be overseen by a Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, which will meet biannually to review project proposals.
