State to form Data Authority to supplement MITRA
| Date :14-Nov-2022 |
Staff Reporter
Less than a month since the State Cabinet decision in this regard, Planning Department of Maharashtra Government has issued deails regarding setting up Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) on the lines of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. Also, it has been decided to set up State Data Authority to supplement MITRA.
As per the details, MITRA will work as as ‘think-tank’ providing technical and actionable policy inputs to boost Maharashtra’s development, and suggest measures to empower various departments to achieve set objectives. It will also facilitate dialogue among various departments, Government of India, NITI Aayog, civil society, various non-Government organisations, and private professional agencies to come up with new development schemes.
The Government has planned to set up State Data Authority to make available information/analysis received by MITRA from various administrative departments. This authority will use GIS and data analytics, obtain information of surveys conducted through third-party agencies and various departments to facilitate evidence-based policy decision-making. The authority will also prepare policies regarding data sharing, data access, and data protection. It will be an important part of MITRA, and act as controller of information for the entire State.
MITRA will mainly focus its energies on 10 sectors -- agriculture and allied activities, health and nutrition, education, skill development and innovation, urbanisation and construction area development and land administration, finance, tourism and sports, energy transition and climate change, industries and small enterprises, basic infrastructure, information technology, supplementary services and transport. It will also pay special attention to environment, forest and wildlife conservation. As per the mandate, MITRA will use drone technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, internet of things, cloud computing, cyber security, robotics, geographical information system, blockchain for implementation and monitoring.
The development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Rest of Maharashtra will serve as ‘Regional MITRA’. The Government has also tasked MITRA with implementing Aspirational Tehsil/Cities initiative, extending advice for asset monetisation of State Government properties for developmental projects, assisting districts with data analytics for implementation of local plans and helping them with result-oriented real-time assessment etc.
To ensure its smooth operation, 64 posts are being created. These include sector-wise Sector In-charge (total 10 posts, one for each sector), Senior Advisor (10 posts), Research Officer (22 posts), and Young Professionals (22 posts). For operation and administration, total 25 posts are being created in five categories including those of Director (five posts), Personal Assistant (five), Deputy Secretary (four), Research Officer (three), and Support Staff (eight).
MITRA governing board will be chaired by Chief Minister, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institution acting as Member Secretary of the board. The board will comprise Deputy Chief MInister/Finance and Planning Minister as Co-Chairman, Government-nominated two Vice-Presidents; Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary of Finance Department, Additional Chief Secretary/Planning Department, six experts (including three representatives of development boards) as members. For monitoring day-to-day activities of MITRA, there will be a 12-member Executive Board comprising CEO as Chairman, 10 sectoral experts and Director of Economics and Statistics as members.