Bhubaneswar: The Mohan Majhi-led BJP Government in Odisha has announced a significant reshuffle among the top-level IAS officers, as per the notification released by the General Administration & Public Grievances (GA&PG) Department Thursday evening.
Key changes are as follows:
- Nikunja Bihari Dhal: A 1993 batch IAS officer, recently appointed as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, is now also given additional charge as Chairman of IDCO, Bhubaneswar.
- Surendra Kumar: Another 1993 batch IAS officer, currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the GA & PG Department and the Tourism Department, has been given additional charge of the Parliamentary Affairs Department. He will continue to serve in his current position as ACS to the GA & PG Department and Tourism Department.
- G Mathivathanan: Previously the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Mathivathanan is transferred to the position of Director General, Training Coordination, Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, Bhubaneswar. Anu Garg’s additional appointment to this position will be terminated once Mathivathanan takes over.
- Usha Padhee: Principal Secretary to the Government, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, with additional charges, has been allowed to remain in the role of Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing & Urban Development Department.
- Hemant Sharma: Principal Secretary of the Industries Department, with additional charge of Chairman, IPICOL, has been allowed to remain in the role Principal Secretary, MS & ME Department.
- Saswat Mishra: A 1996 batch IAS officer, currently Principal Secretary to the Governor with additional charges, has been allowed to remain in the roles as Principal Secretary of the Finance and Energy Departments.
- Vishal Kumar Dev: A 1996 batch IAS officer, who is now serving as Principal Secretary, Finance with additional charge of Chairman, GRIDCO and Principal Secretary, E & IT Department is appointed as Principal Secretary, E & IT Department. He is allowed to remain in additional charge of Chairman, OFDC.
- Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma: A 1999 batch IAS officer, previously Commissioner of Land Records & Settlement, is now appointed as Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department.
- Vineel Krishna: A 2005 batch IAS officer, previously the Sports Secretary and Special Secretary to the Chief Minister, is now posted as Commissioner of Land Records & Settlement.
This reshuffle marks the first major IAS transfer since the BJP Government took power in the state, aiming to optimize administrative efficiency and governance.
PNN