2 November 2026
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Odisha Govt Transferred 5 IAS Officers, Rashmita Panda Appointed MSME Secretary, Poonia Gets Sports & Youth Charge

Odisha Govt Issues New IAS Posting Orders; Strategic Realignment in Urban and Industrial Sectors. Key Changes in Skill Development, MSME, Urban and Industrial Sectors
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has issued a fresh round of administrative adjustments among senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, as per a notification released by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department on February 11, 2026.

The move comes shortly after a broader reshuffle earlier this month and reflects the state’s continued efforts to optimise bureaucratic leadership across critical sectors such as skill development, urban planning, industrial promotion, MSMEs, and governance reforms.

Bhupendra Singh Poonia Given Additional Charge of Sports & Youth Services

Bhupendra Singh Poonia, IAS (RR-2008), currently serving as Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, has been permitted to retain additional charge as Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Sports & Youth Services Department.

With this arrangement, the additional charge of the Sports & Youth Services Department previously held by Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS, stands terminated from the date Poonia assumes charge.

The decision is expected to ensure administrative continuity and coordinated policy implementation between skill development and youth-oriented initiatives.

D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy Appointed Managing Director, IDCO

D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, IAS (RR-2009), who is currently Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department and holding additional charge as Managing Director, IDCO, has now been formally appointed as Managing Director, Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO).

IDCO plays a pivotal role in infrastructure creation and industrial facilitation in the state, and the appointment is seen as significant for Odisha’s industrial expansion strategy.

Rashmita Panda Posted as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department

Rashmita Panda, IAS (RR-2010), has been appointed as Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Department.

Earlier, through a notification dated February 5, 2026, she had been appointed as:

  • Vice-Chairman, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA)
  • Managing Director, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (additional charge)
  • Special Secretary to Government, Housing & Urban Development Department (additional charge)

With the latest order, her appointment as Vice-Chairman, BDA stands cancelled.

However, she will continue to retain additional charges as:

  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Startup Odisha
  • Chief Executive Officer, ORSAC (Odisha Space Applications Centre)

Her posting in the MSME Department is expected to strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem and enterprise development framework.

Surendra Kumar Meena Retains Charge of CMGI and Governance Reforms

Surendra Kumar Meena, IAS (RR-2012), currently serving as Additional Secretary to the Government in the Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, has been allowed to retain additional charge as:

  • Executive Director, Centre for Modernising Government Initiatives (CMGI)
  • Convener, Committee on Administrative & Governance Reforms

Consequently, the additional charge earlier held by Shri Vineet Bhardwaj, IAS, in these roles stands terminated.

The move underscores the government’s emphasis on governance reforms and administrative modernisation.

Aboli Sunil Naravane Given Additional Charge of MD, IPICOL

Aboli Sunil Naravane, IAS (RR-2015), currently serving as Director, Industries, with additional charges as:

  • Managing Director, Odisha Small Industries Corporation
  • Managing Director, Odisha State Financial Corporation

has now been permitted to retain additional charge as Managing Director, IPICOL (Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited).

With this, the prior additional charge of Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia as MD, IPICOL stands terminated upon Naravane taking over.

IPICOL plays a crucial role in industrial promotion and investment facilitation, and the consolidation of responsibilities is aimed at improving coordination in industrial growth and investor outreach.

Focus on Continuity and Sectoral Efficiency

The latest reshuffle reflects the Odisha Government’s effort to ensure continuity, streamlined decision-making, and effective leadership across high-priority sectors, including:

  • Skill development
  • MSME growth
  • Startup promotion
  • Urban governance
  • Industrial infrastructure
  • Administrative reforms

By redistributing additional charges and aligning portfolios strategically, the state aims to enhance governance efficiency and support sustained industrial and economic growth.


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