Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives - State Innovation Fund - Guidelines for Identification and Implementation of Innovative Schemes-Modified Orders- Issued

What the document governs

Government Order G.O. (Ms) No. 69 dated 12 May 2023 governs funding for innovative public service projects through the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives and State Innovation Fund. An innovation may be a new process, practice, approach, technique, technology, organisational model or service that addresses a public problem more efficiently or improves service delivery and stakeholder experience.

Expansion or repetition of an existing programme is not treated as innovation. Cost effectiveness is relevant, and vendor driven technology by itself is not encouraged.

Who can participate

Eligible lead agencies under the modified Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives guidelines include:

• State Government Departments.
• Local Bodies.
• State Public Sector Undertakings.
• Statutory Boards formed by the State.
• State Cooperative Institutions.
• State Universities.
• Societies formed by the State.

Local Bodies, cooperative institutions and State formed societies must route proposals through the authorities specified for them. Eligible agencies may collaborate with reputable Non-Governmental Organizations, but an independent third party evaluation is compulsory for such projects.

Individuals, including government employees, private individuals and representatives of organisations, may send suggestions to the State Planning Commission. Suitable suggestions may be referred to the relevant department or agency for examination and preparation of an innovative scheme.

Key provisions

The modified Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives guidelines provide that:

• The State Planning Commission will accept funding proposals throughout the year and recommend selected projects twice a year.
• The maximum cost of one innovative project is reduced from Rs.20 crores to Rs.10 crores, with maximum expenditure of Rs.5 crores in a year.
• Costs extending into later years will be met from subsequent State Innovation Fund allocations.
• The State Planning Commission may set internal limits for pilot and full fledged schemes.
• Administrative overhead for the State Planning Commission is increased from 5 percent to 10 percent for project scrutiny, monitoring and final evaluation.
• Technical scrutiny and evaluation may be outsourced to suitable technical institutions in rare cases.
• Departments may submit public problem statements seeking innovative solutions, with possible technical collaboration from innovation hubs.
• Government Orders for approved departmental projects may be issued centrally by the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department after the required proposal is routed through the administrative department.

Relevance to property owners

Government Order G.O. (Ms) No. 69 addresses public sector innovation projects and their funding. It contains no provision changing land classification, title, registration, planning permission or ownership rights, so it does not directly affect an ordinary property transaction.