New Delhi: Senior IAS officer N.B.S. Rajput has been appointed as the Principal Secretary of the Public Enterprises Department, Government of Odisha. In addition to this key role, he will continue to serve as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).
This dual responsibility places Rajput at the helm of Odisha’s public sector undertaking (PSU) reforms and transport infrastructure management at a crucial juncture. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance both the administrative efficiency and policy alignment of state-run enterprises with the government’s development goals.
From Raj Bhavan to PSU Reforms
Prior to this appointment, Rajput was serving as the Principal Secretary to the Governor of Odisha. His elevation to the Public Enterprises Department is part of a broader administrative reshuffle aimed at optimizing leadership in critical sectors.
An officer of the 1999 IAS batch (Odisha cadre), Rajput holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from MANIT Bhopal and brings more than 25 years of experience in public service across central and state governments.
Career Spanning Governance, Rural and Urban Development
Over the course of his distinguished career, Rajput has held several high-impact positions, including-
- Joint Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, GoI (2020–2024)
- Divisional Commissioner, Sambalpur
- Commissioner, Land Records and Settlement
- District Collector in various districts of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh
He has also worked across sectors such as Panchayati Raj, Urban Development, Health & Family Welfare, Technical Education, and Revenue Administration—earning a reputation for effective governance and reform-oriented leadership.
Focus on PSU Performance and Transport Sector Integration
As Principal Secretary of Public Enterprises, Rajput will be responsible for policy formulation and oversight of the state’s public sector units. His concurrent role as CMD of OSRTC allows for seamless integration between transport policy and enterprise management – a synergy the Odisha government hopes will result in improved service delivery, asset utilization, and infrastructure upgrades.
Senior officials believe Rajput’s technocratic background, combined with his proven administrative credentials, make him a natural fit for driving PSU reforms and public service modernization.
About OSRTC
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) is the state-owned road transport corporation of Odisha, India. It was established in 1974 and is the primary provider of passenger bus transport within the state, including both intrastate and some interstate routes to neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. OSRTC is known for its affordability, technological advancements, and commitment to safe and reliable bus services