The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Chief Fintech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty was appointed a digital and fintech advisor to India’s Odisha state, a recent report by Times of India confirms.
In his role as an advisor, Odisha-born Sopnendu will enjoy the equivalent of the rank and status of a minister of state and will have a key role in preparation of annual budgets while working in coordination to the chief minister’s office.
He will collect feedback from beneficiaries of state government schemes and programs and submit the reports to respective departments through ministers, the report further adds.
A spokesperson from the Monetary Authority of Singapore told Fintech News Singapore that the appointment is done in Sopenendu’s personal capacity and it will not draw any compensation. They further stressed that it does not conflict with his role as the Chief Fintech Officer in the Monetary Authority of Singapore, instead, it could potentially provide opportunities for fintech firms with greater awareness of opportunities in the region.
MAS further issued a correction that there have been media reports that have incorrectly described Sopenendu as a Minister of State, they clarified that he is not appointed as Minister of State and is not part of the Odisha Government.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with comments from the Monetary Authority of Singapore