Bhubaneswar, Odisha: The Odisha government has taken a significant step to ensure transparency and accountability in its flagship initiative, StartUp Odisha. The state administration, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has set up a three-member committee to review various aspects of the program, according to a notification issued by the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.
Purpose of the Committee
This committee, headed by the Director of Industries, includes senior officials from two key departments: the Additional Secretary or Joint Secretary from the Finance Department and the Additional Secretary or Joint Secretary from the Public Enterprises Department. Their primary task is to examine and evaluate critical elements of StartUp Odisha.
The committee has been entrusted with the following responsibilities:
- Reviewing Financial Grants: It will assess the financial support provided to startups both within Odisha and outside the state. This is crucial for ensuring that funds are being used appropriately and that startups are truly benefiting from the program.
- Fund Distribution: The committee will also look into how funds are distributed to private institutions identified as incubators. This includes checking if these institutions are genuinely helping startups grow or if there are any irregularities.
- Project Management Consultants: The effectiveness of project management consultants hired by StartUp Odisha will also be scrutinized. The committee will evaluate their contributions to the program and ensure that they are delivering value for money.
- Employee Benefits: The committee will examine the contributions made towards the National Pension System (NPS) and Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) for project officials. This ensures that employees working under StartUp Odisha are receiving their entitled benefits.
- Use of Office Space: Finally, the committee will investigate the use of office space by multinational companies (MNCs) within the state. This includes checking if the space is being utilized efficiently and if it aligns with the program's goals.
Timeline and Background
The committee has been asked to submit its findings by August 21, giving it a tight deadline to complete its review. This move comes after the government recently restricted the financial powers of the StartUp Odisha authorities in July. The decision was taken following a visit by MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik to O-Hub, Odisha’s first centralized incubation center, where he found issues related to irregularities and negligence.
Following this visit, the government imposed strict limits on financial decisions within StartUp Odisha. Now, the executive chairman of StartUp Odisha can only approve expenditures up to Rs 1 crore, while the board of directors can approve up to Rs 10 crore. However, the MSME Department, which owns 100% of StartUp Odisha, retains full authority to sanction and incur expenditures of any type, whether schematic, non-schematic, recurring, non-recurring, revenue, or capital.
What is StartUp Odisha?
StartUp Odisha is a significant initiative launched by the Odisha government in 2016 under the leadership of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The program was designed to support and nurture 5,000 startups across the state by 2025. The initiative aimed to create a conducive ecosystem for startups to thrive, offering financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The creation of the committee underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that StartUp Odisha remains transparent and effective in achieving its goals. By taking this step, the Odisha government is addressing concerns and reinforcing its dedication to supporting the startup ecosystem.
Importance of Accountability
Accountability is crucial in any government program, especially one as significant as StartUp Odisha. By setting up this committee, the Odisha government is sending a strong message that it is serious about maintaining the integrity of the program. The findings of the committee could lead to further reforms and improvements in how StartUp Odisha operates, ultimately benefiting the startups it was designed to support.
Table: Key Details of the Committee's Mandate
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Reviewing Financial Grants | Assessing financial support given to startups in and outside Odisha. |
| Fund Distribution | Examining how funds are allocated to private incubators. |
| Project Management Consultants | Evaluating the effectiveness of consultants hired by StartUp Odisha. |
| Employee Benefits | Checking NPS and EPF contributions for project officials. |
| Use of Office Space | Investigating MNCs' use of office space within the state. |
| Report Submission Deadline | August 21, 2024 |