Bhubaneswar: On the second day of his Odisha visit, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer B.V.R. Subrahmanyam held extensive discussions with Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and senior officials of the Odisha government on Thursday.
The meeting focused on the implementation of Odisha Vision document 2036 and 2047, charting a long-term roadmap for the state’s inclusive and evidence-driven growth.
During the deliberations, Subrahmanyam emphasized the importance of data-driven governance and evidence-based decision-making to accelerate development outcomes. He advised the state administration to leverage analytics and performance tracking mechanisms across sectors to ensure effective policy formulation and implementation.
A key part of the discussion revolved around livelihood opportunities for tribal communities, with special attention to the processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and entrepreneurship development under programs of the ST & SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
The meeting also focused on urban and regional economic development, particularly in the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri region and other emerging industrial and tourism corridors. Subrahmanyam commended Odisha’s progress in skill development, highlighting institutions such as the Centre for Excellence for Skill Development, World Skill Centers, and ITIs, and stressed the need for industry-linked, employment-oriented training programs.
It was also proposed that skill education be integrated into school and college curricula to give students the flexibility to pursue alternative professional pathways. The NITI Aayog CEO assured that the central policy think tank is keen to collaborate with leading national and international institutions to provide technical assistance and policy support to Odisha in achieving its long-term development goals.
