The Odisha Government today effected a major bureaucratic reshuffle with a series of appointments and transfers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.
The General Administration & Public Grievance Department has issued a notification effective immediately. The reshuffle aims to bolster administrative efficiency and address developmental priorities across the state’s key sectors.
Leading the appointments is Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS (RR-2005), who transitions from Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Co-operation Department. Patil will continue to hold additional charges as Special Secretary to the Housing & Urban Development Department and Chairman of the Odisha State Warehousing Corporation, ensuring continuity in these critical roles.
Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, IAS (RR-2009), retains his position as Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, reinforcing the state’s commitment to cultural preservation.
Meanwhile, Samarth Verma, IAS (RR-2011), has been appointed as Director, Minor Minerals, Bhubaneswar, with the post elevated to the status of Additional Secretary in the IAS Cadre. Verma will also continue as Managing Director of the Odisha Film Development Corporation.
A notable inclusion in the reshuffle is Deepankar Mohapatra, IAS (NSCS-2014), appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Hockey Promotion Council, Odisha, with the post equivalent to a Joint Secretary in the IAS Cadre. This move underscores Odisha’s ongoing efforts to promote sports, particularly hockey, a sport of pride for the state.
Additionally, the notification welcomes nine young IAS officers from the 2023 batch returning from Phase-II training. These officers have been appointed as Sub-Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates across various districts. The appointees include:
- Ms. Preksha Agrawal – Sub-Collector, Dharamgarh, Kalahandi
- Ms. Pranita Dash – Sub-Collector, Baliguda, Kandhamal
- Ms. Kasturi Panda – Sub-Collector, Panchpir, Karanjia, Mayurbhanj
- Shri Abhishek Dilip Dudhal – Sub-Collector, Gunupur, Rayagada
- Ms. Ashni A L – Sub-Collector, Nabarangpur, Nabarangpur
- Shri C Saravanan – Sub-Collector, Kuchinda, Sambalpur
- Ms. Tejaswini Behera – Sub-Collector, Sundargarh, Sundargarh
- Shri Shiv Malviya – Sub-Collector, Anandpur, Keonjhar
- Shri Avinash Kumar – Sub-Collector, Berhampur, Ganjam
This strategic reshuffle reflects the Odisha government’s focus on strengthening governance at both the state and district levels. By placing experienced officers in pivotal roles and integrating fresh talent into sub-divisional administration, the state aims to enhance service delivery and development outcomes.
As Odisha continues to prioritise cooperative development, cultural preservation, sports, and district-level governance, these appointments signal a robust administrative framework geared toward progress.
