Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, stressed the critical role of data in driving effective governance and informed decision-making during the inauguration of the two-day Data Forum-2024 workshop in Bhubaneswar.
Organized by NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), and the World Bank, with support from the Odisha government, the event on November 21-22 brought together senior officials, academicians, and policymakers from across the country.
Speaking at the event, Singh Deo highlighted how data empowers governments to address pressing issues, improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and achieve tangible results.
“When decisions are data-driven, they are grounded, implementable, and impactful,” he said.
He reiterated Odisha’s commitment to becoming a developed state by 2036, marking its 100th anniversary, and contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The Deputy CM pointed to Odisha’s initiatives in leveraging data for governance, such as the adoption of a data dissemination policy and restructuring of the state’s statistical system.
He also cited specific projects like the World Bank-supported Crop Digital Survey and the e-Chasa app, which aim to fill critical data gaps in agriculture and provide timely, accurate insights into farming practices and cultivated areas.
Another key achievement is the Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS), which has streamlined the paddy procurement process in the state using data analytics.
Odisha’s innovative use of data extends to disaster management, where real-time information from satellite imagery, remote sensing, and weather forecasting models has enhanced emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, saving countless lives.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized the need for accurate and timely data to ensure accelerated growth and informed policy decisions. He noted that easy access to data helps in targeted and efficient governance.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of data in overcoming challenges and ensuring the success of developmental projects pointed to the use of data in implementing welfare schemes like the Subhadra Scheme, which supports women through transparent beneficiary identification and developmental projects backed by the PM Gatishakti Portal.
The event also saw Anna Roy, Principal Economic Advisor at NITI Aayog, providing an overview of the forum’s objectives, while Dr. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, stressed the importance of preparing a robust data ecosystem for future governance.
The forum marked the release of the first “Data Forum Report 2024,” a milestone in strengthening India’s data-driven decision-making framework.
