The 5T Initiative of Odisha

• 28 Oct 2023

For Prelims: The 5T Initiative of Odisha, Teamwork, Niti Aayog Like Model at the State Level, Transparency, Technology, Time, and Transformation, Effective Delivery of public services.

For Mains: The 5T Initiative of Odisha, Niti Aayog Like Model at the State Level, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Source: HT

Why in News?

The 5T initiative in Odisha is a governance model that stands for Teamwork, Transparency, Technology, Time, and Transformation, launched with the aim of improving governance and ensuring efficient delivery of public services.

• In sync with the 5T agenda, in October 2019, the Odisha government launched the ‘Mo Sarkar’ or ‘My Government’ initiative, which is also seen as a Niti Aayog Like Model at the State Level.
• In 2022, the Odisha Government Chief added another T (Tour) to the 5T Initiative and gave them 6T-Mantra, asking the Ministers to ‘Tour’ more and work towards strengthening the grassroots further.

What is the 5T Initiative?

• Teamwork:
  • It emphasises the need for different departments and agencies within the government to work together as a cohesive team.
  • It promotes collaboration and coordination among various government entities to address the needs of the people effectively.
• Transparency:
  • Transparency is a crucial element of the 5T initiative. It focuses on making government processes and decisions more open and accountable to the public.
  • This includes providing easy access to information, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and promoting ethical and accountable conduct within the government.
• Technology:
  • It encourages the adoption of modern technology and digital solutions to streamline government operations, enhance service delivery, and make processes more efficient.
• Time:
  • The time aspect underscores the importance of delivering services in a timely manner. The 5T model aims to reduce delays and ensure that government services are provided to citizens promptly.
• Transformation:
  • Ultimately, the 5T initiative seeks to bring about a transformation in the functioning of government agencies and departments. It aims to make the government more responsive, citizen-centric, and results-oriented.

What are the Achievements of 5T?

• By March 2023, 6,872 high schools were transformed under the 5T initiative.
• Private schools had 16,05,000 students in 2019-20, but the number of students has been reduced to 14,62,000 in 2021-22. Which implied that number of students enrolled in government schools have increased.

What is the Mo Sarkar Initiative?

• It is a governance program aimed at transforming the way government services are delivered and improving the accountability and transparency of public offices.
  • "Mo Sarkar" means "My Government" in the local language.
• One of the notable features of the "Mo Sarkar" initiative is the real-time feedback mechanism.
  • The government makes the phone numbers of citizens who interact with government offices available to top officials, including the Chief Minister.
• This feedback mechanism helps identify issues, assess the performance of government officers, and take remedial action when necessary.
• The "Mo Sarkar" initiative is seen as a way to shift power away from the bureaucracy back to the people and make governance more evidence-based, efficient, and equitable.

What is the Agenda for the Implementation of Niti Aayog Like Body in States?

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog will assist each state to set up similar bodies, replacing their planning boards for faster and inclusive economic growth along with the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

• Initially, it aims for 8-10 states to set up such bodies, before reaching out to all by March 2023.
  • Four states i.e., Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam have already begun work in this regard.
  • Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat will likely begin work soon.
• A plan has been chalked out by NITI Aayog to:
  • Help in the creation of teams that will examine the existing structure of state planning boards.
  • Conceptualise the State Institution for Transformation (SIT) in the next 4-6 months.
    • Lateral entry of professionals will be encouraged in SITs to undertake high-quality analytical work and policy recommendations.
• Besides reorienting state planning boards as SITs, a blueprint will be made on:
  • Guiding states in policy formulation.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programmes.
  • Suggesting better technology or models for delivery of schemes.

What is the Need for Setting up NITI Aayog-like Bodies in States?

• States are the Indian economy’s growth drivers. The national gross domestic product (GDP) growth is an aggregation of states’ rates of growth except for sectors like defence, railways and highways.
  • Health, education and skilling are primarily with the state government.
• State governments’ role is critical to improving ease of doing business, land reforms, infrastructure development, credit flows and urbanisation, all of which are vital for sustained economic growth.
• Most states so far have done little to rejuvenate their planning departments/boards, which earlier dealt with the Planning Commission and prepared parallel state five year-plans with the Centre.
  • Most states’ planning departments, with huge manpower, are almost defunct and have no clarity on what work they will do.

What are Some of the Similar Initiatives in Other States?

• Kerala State Planning Board:
  • The primary role of the Board encompasses the formulation of both Five-Year and Annual Plans, along with the preparation of an annual Economic Review.
  • It diligently oversees the execution of these Plans, collaborating closely with various Departments on Plan schemes and overseeing the operations of the Decentralisation Cell.
  • Additionally, the Board conducts commissioned studies, offers valuable insights and recommendations regarding externally aided programs and centrally sponsored schemes, while also compiling policy briefs for the Chairperson.
• Sakala Mission:
  • Karnataka State Government launched Sakala Mission to provide guarantee of services to citizens in the State of Karnataka within the stipulated time limit and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
  • This Act is called the Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act, 2011.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)

(a) Department of Science and Technology
(b) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Ans: (c)

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Mains:

Q. “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent”. Discuss their relationship in the context of India. (2016)