Odisha to replace Planning Board with NITI Aayog-style SITI think tank for policy and reforms

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper Politics Explained Opinion India Business Premium Cities UPSC Entertainment Sports World Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingMumbai NewsDelhi NewsChandigarh NewsBangalore NewsLucknow News Advertisement function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript() { if (window.jQuery) { // jQuery is loaded, include your script jQuery(document).ready(function($) { // Your existing script for checking window width if (window.innerWidth) var page_w = window.innerWidth; else if (document.all) var page_w = document.body.clientWidth; if (page_w > 1024) { $(".add-left, .add-right").show(); } else { $(".add-left, .add-right").hide(); } }); } else { // jQuery is not loaded, check again after 0.2 seconds setTimeout(checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript, 200); } } // Initial call to the function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript(); NewsIndiaOdisha's Planning Board hadn't met since 2007. Its replacement is finally here Odisha’s Planning Board hadn’t met since 2007. Its replacement is finally here The Planning Board, considered the highest planning body in the state, was dissolved in July 2024. The new body will guide the state government on six themes, including economy and finance; and employment and urban development Written by: Sujit Bisoyi2 min readBhubaneswarUpdated: Apr 18, 2026 06:56 PM IST The planning body was almost defunct during the BJD regime, as the last meeting was held in October 2007. (Photo generated using AI) Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT The Odisha government will set up a NITI Aayog-like think tank — called the State Institute for Transformative Initiatives (SITI) — as a policy research and strategic advisory body to replace the now-dissolved State Planning Board. The Planning Board, considered the highest planning body in the state, was dissolved in July 2024. While the Chief Minister used to head the body, a senior leader looked after the day-to-day affairs with the rank of a Cabinet minister. The planning body was almost defunct during the BJD regime, as the last meeting was held in October 2007. “As conventional planning mechanisms have become obsolete, SITI Odisha will provide a forward-looking framework anchored in strategic policy thinking, innovation, cooperative federalism and measurable outcomes. It will ensure strategic direction at the highest level,” an official statement said. SITI-Odisha will guide the state government on six topics: economy and finance; rural economy and livelihoods; employment and urban development; ideation and innovation; energy transition; and environment, forests, mining and natural resources. Each theme will focus on key pillars of the state’s development priorities, an official said. The new body will align with the vision of Samrudha Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047. According to a resolution issued by the Planning and Convergence Department, like the NITI Aayog at the Centre, SITI will have a Governing Council with the Chief Minister as Chairperson. In addition, there will be a Vice-Chairperson, four full-time members, nine ex-officio members and two special invitees. The Governing Council will monitor and guide SITI-Odisha in accordance with the scope of work set by the state government. It will convene at least once a year and may meet more frequently if required. While the Vice-Chairperson of SITI will hold the rank of a Cabinet minister, four persons of eminence with domain expertise in priority areas will be appointed by the Chief Minister as full-time members with the rank of Minister of State. A CEO will also be appointed by the government for the advisory body. There will also be an attached office under SITI Odisha — the State Monitoring & Evaluation Office (SMEO) — which will serve as the state’s nodal institution for evidence-driven governance. Sujit Bisoyi is a Special Correspondent with the Indian Express and covers Odisha. His interests are in politics, policy and people’s stories. He tweets at @bisoyisujit87 ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram