Odisha, one of the poorest states of India with low per capita income and high proportion of people below poverty line, has taken some impressive steps to make governance better. The State is increasingly using technology in public administration and has enforced e-Governance at various levels. Odisha is a Performer in this year’s SKOCH Governance study. The State won 5 SKOCH Orders-of-Merit.

Despite a sharp reduction in poverty in the recent years, Odisha continues to remain home to among the largest number of poor in the country. As per the official data 32.59 per cent of the State population is below poverty line. This proportion was 57.20 per cent in 2004-05. According to the State Economic Survey report for 2015-16, Odisha GSDP is estimated to increase by 6.16 per cent in the financial year 2015-16. The GSDP growth stood at 6.24 per cent in 2014-15.

Key Achievements

The State has identified four pillars of e-Governance – e-Management, e-Service, e-Democracy and e-Commerce. Major e-Governance projects in the State are implemented in the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode. Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) works as the nodal agency for implementing the e-Governance initiatives in the State. OCAC provides single window service for major or special projects like e-Procurement, e-Shishu and State Wide Area Network (SWAN).

The State Government with support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed a project called e-Shramik. It allows online register of building and construction workers and facilitate in their education, marriage, social needs etc. It provides critical support in the case of accidents and death.

The State has implemented an integrated Land Records Management System (LRMS) that allows management of land records, minimises scope of land/property disputes, enhances transparency in the land records maintenance system and facilitates moving eventually towards guaranteed conclusive titles to immovable properties in the State. The initiative is a part of Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).

Department of Energy has implemented a programme called ELBSoft—an online system for issue of licenses, certificates of competency and permits to electrical contractors, supervisors and electrical workmen in the state. Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited (OSBCL) has computerised its processes with an objective to enhance efficiency and bring transparency.

Directorate of Nursing has introduced Nursing Management System under which, all the processes from registration of candidates to seat allotment and deployment is done electronically. Odisha is the first state in the country to have a fully functional Directorate of Nursing, which manages all activities relating to nursing across the State.