Former Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena Resigns as OERC Chairman, Cites Personal Reasons
Former IAS officer Pradeep Jena has resigned from the post of Chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), citing personal reasons. His resignation was submitted on Monday and has been formally acknowledged by the Odisha government’s Department of Energy as well as officials of the regulatory commission.
The development marks a significant administrative change in Odisha’s power sector regulatory framework, as Jena stepped down a little over a year after taking charge of the state’s electricity regulatory body.
Pradeep Jena had assumed office as Chairman of OERC on April 8, 2025. He was administered the oath of office by Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of senior government officials and members of the state administration.
A senior and widely respected bureaucrat, Jena previously served as the Chief Secretary of Odisha and was regarded as one of the most experienced officers in the state’s administrative system. During his long career in the Indian Administrative Service, he handled several key departments and played an important role in governance, disaster management, development administration, and policy implementation in Odisha.
His appointment as OERC Chairman last year was seen as a significant move by the state government, given his extensive administrative experience and understanding of public policy and infrastructure sectors.
The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission functions as the state’s key statutory body responsible for regulating electricity tariffs, ensuring consumer interests, overseeing power sector reforms, and maintaining transparency and efficiency within the electricity distribution framework.
Although no detailed explanation has been provided beyond “personal reasons,” officials confirmed that the resignation has been accepted at the administrative level. Sources within the state government indicated that further decisions regarding interim arrangements or a new appointment are likely to be taken in the coming weeks.
As of now, the Odisha government has not announced the name of Jena’s successor. The process of selecting a new Chairman for the commission is expected to involve consultations within the Energy Department and the state administration.
The resignation comes at a crucial time for the power sector, as states across India continue to focus on electricity reforms, infrastructure modernisation, tariff management, and strengthening distribution systems. OERC plays a critical role in policy regulation and balancing the interests of consumers, distribution companies, and the government.
Administrative observers believe that Jena’s departure leaves behind a notable vacancy in one of the state’s most important regulatory institutions. His experience in public administration and governance had brought considerable institutional credibility to the commission.
Over the years, Pradeep Jena earned recognition for his calm administrative style and his role in handling several critical assignments during his tenure in the Odisha government. He was particularly known for his involvement in disaster preparedness and governance reforms during his bureaucratic career.
With his resignation now official, attention is expected to shift toward who the Odisha government chooses next to lead the electricity regulatory body at a time when the sector continues to undergo major reforms and technological transformation.
