In a significant administrative move, the newly elected BJP government in Odisha appointed 1990-batch IAS officer Manoj Ahuja as the new Chief Secretary. Ahuja’s appointment follows the retirement of incumbent Pradeep Kumar Jena on June 30. Additionally, Ahuja has been designated as the Secretary of the General Administration Department.

Hailing from Haryana, Ahuja has been on central deputation since 2017 and has now been repatriated to his parent cadre, Odisha, at the state’s request. This appointment marks the first time in two decades that a non-Odia officer will serve as the top administrator of the state.

Ahuja, who brings a wealth of administrative experience, was most recently posted as the Union Agriculture Secretary. His notable previous roles include Special Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

During his tenure with the Odisha state government, Ahuja has served as Secretary in several key departments, including Cooperation, Steel and Mines, Sports and Youth Affairs, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, and as Commissioner of Commercial Tax.

Ahuja’s repatriation and appointment as Chief Secretary are particularly significant given the inexperience of many ministers in the new BJP government. His role will be crucial in implementing the BJP’s election promises and in selecting senior IAS officers for various departments and district collectors in the Mohan Majhi government. As the Chief Minister is yet to finalize his team, Ahuja’s joining is expected to expedite these appointments.

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“The new government is yet to start functioning in a full-fledged manner. It’s still not clear whether all the schemes run by the previous BJD government will be continued or not. Ahuja’s advice on these matters will be important,” a senior bureaucrat stated.

According to his profile on NABARD, Ahuja holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala; an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh; and a Masters in Public Administration (International Development) from Harvard University, USA.

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