Major IAS Officer Reshuffle in Odisha by Newly Elected BJP Government

The newly elected BJP government in Odisha has enacted a significant reshuffle of senior IAS officers. Key changes include appointments for Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Surendra Kumar, G Mathivathanan, Hemant Sharma, Usha Padhee, Saswat Mishra, Vishal Kumar Dev, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, and R. Vineel Krishna in various important departments.

In a sweeping administrative shake-up, the newly elected BJP government in Odisha has reallocated several senior IAS officers to pivotal roles. The state General Administration and Public Grievances (GA-PG) department issued a notification detailing the changes on Wednesday.

Nikunja Bihari Dhal, the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the chief minister, will maintain his additional role as chairman of IDCO, a state PSU. Surendra Kumar has been assigned to the parliamentary affairs department, alongside his current responsibilities in the GA-PG and Tourism departments.

Meanwhile, G Mathivathanan has been transferred to serve as director general of Training Coordination at the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration in Bhubaneswar. Hemant Sharma will continue as principal secretary of the Industries department, with the additional duties of chairman of IPICOL and principal secretary of the MS & ME department.

Usha Padhee, who is principal secretary of the Skill Development & Technical Education department, now also oversees the Housing and Urban Development department. Saswat Mishra will take on additional roles in the Finance and Energy departments while continuing as principal secretary to the Governor and chairman of OSSSC.

Vishal Kumar Dev has been appointed principal secretary of the Electronics & IT department and chairman of OFDC. Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma is now the secretary of the Sports & Youth Services department, and R. Vineel Krishna has been made commissioner of the Land Records and Settlement department.

(With inputs from agencies.)