Odisha Government Executes Massive Bureaucratic Overhaul: 20 IAS Officers Reassigned to Key Portfolios; Bishnupada Sethi to Lead Forest Development
In a major administrative restructuring aimed at optimizing governance and departmental efficiency, the Government of Odisha has authorized a comprehensive reshuffle of its senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre. This significant move, formalized through an official communiqué from the General Administration and Public Grievance (GA&PG) Department, impacts 20 high-ranking officials across vital sectors including Revenue, Mining, Agriculture, and Urban Infrastructure.
Top-Tier Leadership Shifts and Key Designations
The reorganization places several veteran bureaucrats into pivotal roles to steer the state’s strategic development goals:
Deoranjan Kumar Singh (1983 Batch): Serving as the Development Commissioner-cum-ACS and Secretary for Planning & Convergence, Mr. Singh will maintain his additional responsibility as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for the Steel & Mines Department. However, he will relinquish his additional charge of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department following the new appointments.
Surendra Kumar (1993 Batch): He has been designated as the Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, while simultaneously overseeing the Parliamentary Affairs Department.
Bishnupada Sethi (1995 Batch): Previously the Officer on Special Duty for GA&PG, Mr. Sethi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC). He will also remain the Chief Administrator for the Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi (KBK) region.
Arabinda Kumar Padhee (1996 Batch): In a high-profile move, Dr. Padhee transitions from the Agriculture sector to become the ACS of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department. He continues to serve as the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri.
Strategic Placements Across Social and Infrastructure Sectors
The reshuffle ensures that critical welfare and infrastructure departments are led by experienced hands:
Usha Padhee (1996 Batch): While retaining her post as ACS for Housing & Urban Development, she takes on the additional mantle of Chairperson of the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
Suresh Kumar Vashishth (1997 Batch): He has been reassigned as the Principal Secretary for the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department.
Shubha Sarma (1999 Batch): Ms. Sarma will now serve as the Principal Secretary for the Water Resources Department, a key portfolio for the state’s agrarian economy.
NBS Rajput (1999 Batch): Appointed as the Principal Secretary of Commerce & Transport, he will also continue to manage the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
Girish S.N. (2002 Batch): Currently the Commissioner-cum-Secretary for Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, he will now hold the additional chairmanship of the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).
Mrinalini Darswal (2002 Batch): She takes charge as the Commissioner-cum-Secretary for the Women & Child Development Department.
Focus on Urban Growth and Mission Shakti
The 2010 batch of officers has seen significant movement into transformative roles:
Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav (2007 Batch): He is the new Commissioner-cum-Secretary for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, while retaining his leadership in the Sports & Youth Services Department.
Mansi Nimbhal (2010 Batch): She takes over the vital Mission Shakti portfolio as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, succeeding Girish S.N.
Rashmita Panda (2010 Batch): Appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), she also maintains her roles as MD of Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd. and Special Secretary for Urban Development.
Sadique Alam (2010 Batch): He will now lead the Public Enterprises Department as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, while continuing as the MD of Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT).
Administrative Streamlining and Continuity
This reshuffle is not merely about new appointments but also about streamlining responsibilities. Several additional charges were terminated to allow officers to focus exclusively on their new, high-priority assignments. For instance, Anupam Saha (2012 Batch) continues his vital role as Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister while managing the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC).
By strategically redeploying these 20 officers, the Odisha government aims to strengthen institutional leadership and ensure the seamless execution of state-wide social welfare programs and large-scale infrastructure projects.
