Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government Wednesday appointed Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi as the State election commissioner after his name was approved by Governor Ganeshi Lal.
Aditya Prasad Padhi’s appointment as the next State Election Commissioner was notified by Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department within hours of the governor giving his approval.
The 1983 batch IAS officer has also applied for voluntary retirement from the government service.
“I have urged the Chief Minister to accept my application for voluntary retirement. Instead of a 90-day notice period, I have sought approval to take charge as State Election Commissioner, August 19,” Padhi told reporters.
The post of the State Election Commissioner is lying vacant after Naba Kumar Nayak’s tenure expired last year.
Apart from officiating as the Chief Secretary since November 30, 2015, Padhi was also serving as Chief Development Commissioner and Chairman of the Odisha Pollution Control Board.
During his tenure as the Chief Secretary of Odisha, Padhi had successfully handled two major disasters like Cyclone Titli and Cyclone Fani and earned appreciation for the state from international agencies like United Nations.
Padhi also played major role in organising ‘Make in Odisha’ conclaves for facilitating investments in the state and hosting the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
Padhi joined the IAS after obtaining Bachelors’ degree in Economics & Communication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Padhi has worked in the state government as well at the Centre in key departments like Rural Development, Industries, Urban Development, Finance, Transport, Home and Chief Minister’s office as well.”