The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DE&S), under the Planning & Convergence Department, Government of Odisha, organised an internal consultative workshop on “Using Administrative Data for Governance: Harmonising Departmental Data at State Level” in Bhubaneswar on April 18, 2026.
The workshop was held at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan and served as a precursor to an upcoming national-level summit on data governance.
Focus on Strengthening Data Systems
The consultation brought together senior officials, domain experts, and representatives from multiple departments to discuss strengthening administrative data systems and improving inter-departmental coordination.
The initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to building a robust, integrated, and evidence-based governance framework that supports informed decision-making.
Keynote Highlights Importance of Data Governance
The inaugural session was addressed by Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary.
He highlighted the strategic role of data-driven governance in achieving sustainable development goals and improving administrative efficiency across sectors.
Digital Infrastructure and Data Ecosystem Discussed
Pradeep Kumar Rout, Special Secretary of the Electronics & Information Technology Department and CEO of the Odisha Computer Application Centre, delivered the welcome address and presented insights on digital infrastructure.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging technology and data platforms to enable seamless data sharing and analytics, and called for the development of a unified and dynamic data ecosystem for the state.
Need for Standardisation and Data Quality
Providing a contextual overview, B B Nanda, Director of DE&S, stressed the growing importance of administrative data in policymaking, monitoring, and service delivery.
He underlined the need for standardisation, interoperability, and improved data quality across departments to maximise the value of administrative datasets.
Active Participation from Key Departments
The workshop saw active participation from several departments, including:
- Health & Family Welfare
- Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment
- Higher Education
- Finance
- Mission Shakti
- Housing & Urban Development
- Skill Development & Technical Education
Each department presented its datasets, use cases, success stories, and challenges related to data collection, quality, and sharing.
Key Discussions and Insights
Participants identified several critical areas for improvement:
- Need for standardised data protocols
- Strengthening data quality and validation systems
- Enhancing real-time data availability
- Building capacity for advanced data analytics
- Establishing institutional mechanisms for data integration
The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in improving governance outcomes.
Roadmap for Future Action
The workshop concluded with a synthesis session that consolidated key findings and outlined a roadmap for future action.
The insights gathered will contribute to a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving administrative data linkage and strengthening institutional capacity in Odisha.
Towards Transparent and Inclusive Governance
The event marks a significant step towards building a resilient and integrated state statistical system. It reinforces Odisha’s commitment to leveraging data for inclusive, transparent, and effective governance.
