Monalisa Dash, a 2003-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer from the Sikkim cadre, has been entrusted with the additional role of Managing Director at the Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) in Almora, Uttarakhand. She concurrently serves as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
Educational Background and Origins
Hailing from Odisha, Ms. Dash possesses academic qualifications including MSc, M.Phil, and LLB degrees. Her diverse educational background has underpinned her capacity to navigate complex policy and administrative landscapes effectively.
Professional Trajectory
Ms. Dash’s career encompasses significant roles across various government sectors:
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Ministry of AYUSH: Since December 2024, she has been steering strategic policy initiatives in traditional medicine systems.
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Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER): Appointed as Joint Secretary in April 2024, she has led programs focusing on social development, livelihood enhancement, capacity building, and the implementation of flagship schemes like PM-DevINE and SoNEC. Additionally, she chairs the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
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Ministry of Home Affairs (2021–2024): In her tenure as Director, she managed critical portfolios including VIP security, modernization of police forces, personnel management for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the digitization of welfare systems such as the Ayushman CAPF health scheme, benefiting over 3.5 million personnel and their families. Her efforts also encompassed reforms in recruitment, UN peacekeeping deployments, and the digitization of the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar, achieving a turnover of ₹6.87 crore.
Foundational Roles in Sikkim
Between 2003 and 2021, Ms. Dash served in various capacities within the Government of Sikkim, including Deputy Conservator of Forests and Divisional Forest Officer for both South and North Divisions. She later became the Special Resident Commissioner at Sikkim House in New Delhi, where she honed her skills in crisis and disaster management, and coordinated welfare services for Sikkimese citizens outside the state. Her brief tenure as Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sikkim in 2012–2013 further underscores the trust placed in her during politically sensitive periods.
Role at IMPCL
Established in 1978, IMPCL is a central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of AYUSH, specializing in the production of Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. Ms. Dash’s appointment as Managing Director is anticipated to bolster India’s traditional medicine manufacturing capabilities, ensure quality assurance, and advance the Ministry’s objective of promoting holistic healthcare across the nation.
