Bhubaneswar: Nine Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the 2024 batch from the Odisha cadre, currently undergoing training at the Gopabandhu Administrative Academy, visited the Planning and Convergence Department in Bhubaneswar on Monday as part of their extended one-year training programme.
The visit was aimed at providing hands-on administrative exposure through direct interaction with senior government officials, departments, and institutional frameworks involved in Odisha’s development planning.
Objective of the Field Visit
The programme focused on helping probationers understand:
- State-level planning mechanisms
- Inter-departmental coordination
- Implementation of development programmes
- Role of convergence in governance delivery
Officials briefed the trainees on how the Planning and Convergence Department acts as a central coordinating body for Odisha’s development agenda.
Interaction with Development Commissioner
During the visit, the IAS probationers held an interactive session with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh.
He explained:
- Odisha’s structured planning processes
- Importance of convergence across departments
- Major ongoing development initiatives
- The role of mineral resources in the state economy
He also encouraged the young officers to make effective use of opportunities in public administration and shared insights from his experience in the Steel and Mines Department.
Key Officials Present During the Session
The interaction was attended by senior officials including:
- Sudhanshu Mohan Samal, Managing Director, Odisha Mining Corporation
- Prakash Chandra Mohanty, Additional Chief Secretary
- Pradyumna Kumar Mahakud, Additional Chief Secretary
- Dr. Bijay Bhushan Nand, Director, Economics and Statistics
- Dr. Monalisa Lenka, Deputy Director General, Gopabandhu Administrative Academy
Officials provided detailed presentations on departmental functioning and governance models.
Focus on Development Programmes and Governance Framework
The trainees were introduced to several key state initiatives and governance tools, including:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation
- Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme
- Saturation Mission 2.0
- Western Odisha Development Council initiatives
- MLALAD and MPLAD fund utilization
- District Mineral Foundation (DMF) schemes
- Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Fund
These discussions highlighted how multi-layered coordination ensures effective delivery of welfare schemes and infrastructure projects.
Economic Planning and Vision Documents
Officials also discussed:
- Odisha’s budget formulation process
- State financial planning systems
- Welfare scheme implementation mechanisms
- Economic survey and statistical systems
A major highlight was the long-term vision framework:
- “Viksit Odisha @2036”
- Alignment with “Viksit Bharat @2047”
- “36 for 36” developmental initiatives
These documents aim to guide Odisha’s transformation into a developed state over the coming decades.
Training Programme and Future Posting Plan
The induction training programme for the IAS probationers will conclude on April 24, 2026.
After completion:
- Officers will proceed for Assistant Secretary-level training in New Delhi
- Followed by advanced training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA)
- They will then return to Odisha to assume official field responsibilities
Significance of the Training Visit
The visit forms part of Odisha’s structured approach to capacity building for young IAS officers, ensuring they gain practical understanding of governance systems before field postings. The exposure is expected to help them better manage planning, coordination, and implementation responsibilities in their future roles.
Read also: Karnataka Government Transfers 4 IAS Officers, Manoj Kumar Meena Appointed Health Secretary
