In a minor reshuffle of bureaucrats, the Odisha government has made changes to the postings of three senior IAS officers, as announced on Monday by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department.
According to a notification from the department, Bishnupada Sethi, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the General Administration & Public Grievance Department. The notification further clarified that the post of OSD in this department is equivalent in status and responsibility to that of a Principal Secretary in the IAS Cadre of the State. Prior to this appointment, Sethi was serving as the Principal Secretary in the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department and the ST & SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
The reshuffle comes shortly after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summoned Sethi in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation. The development has raised questions but remains part of the government’s ongoing administrative changes.
Meanwhile, Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, a 1997-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as Principal Secretary for the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, taking over the responsibilities from Sethi.
In another key development, Manoj Kumar Sahoo, a 2006-batch IAS officer, has been assigned to serve as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister. Mr Sahoo joins the state government on an Inter-Cadre Deputation.
This reshuffle reflects the state government’s ongoing efforts to streamline its administrative framework and ensure efficient governance.