Odisha to Set Up State Policy Think Tank SITI for Strategic Governance

Bhubaneswar, April 18: The Odisha government has announced the establishment of the State Institute for Transformative Initiatives (SITI), a premier policy think tank aimed at strengthening strategic governance and driving long-term development in the state.

The institute will play a crucial role in aligning Odisha’s policy framework with its ambitious vision documents — “Samrudha Odisha 2036” and “Viksit Bharat 2047.” A formal resolution for the creation of SITI has been issued by the Planning & Convergence Department.

The move follows the dissolution of the State Planning Board on July 18, 2024, signaling a transition from traditional planning structures to a more dynamic and forward-looking policy ecosystem.

SITI-Odisha will function as a high-level advisory body, focusing on strategic policy formulation, innovation, cooperative federalism and outcome-based governance. Officials stated that the think tank will ensure data-driven decision-making and measurable development outcomes.

The institute will work across six priority sectors — Economy & Finance, Rural Economy & Livelihoods, Employment & Urban Development, Ideation & Innovation, Energy Transition and Environment, Forests, Mining & Natural Resources — covering key areas critical to Odisha’s growth trajectory.

A Governing Council chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will oversee the functioning of SITI. The council will include a Vice-Chairperson, four full-time members, nine ex-officio members and two special invitees. It will meet at least once a year or as required to guide the institute’s direction.

In terms of structure, the Vice-Chairperson will hold Cabinet rank, while the four full-time members will be appointed with the rank of Ministers of State. The Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary will serve as the Member Secretary.

The Chief Minister will also appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from the IAS cadre, holding the rank of Principal Secretary or Commissioner-cum-Secretary, for a fixed tenure. Supporting the CEO will be a Programme Director, a multidisciplinary Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and an administrative wing.

Additionally, the State Monitoring & Evaluation Office (SMEO) will function under SITI as the nodal agency for performance tracking and evidence-based governance.

SITI-Odisha will operate under the administrative control of the Planning & Convergence Department, marking a significant step towards modernizing governance and accelerating Odisha’s development agenda.