In a fresh bureaucratic reshuffle, the Odisha Government has assigned new responsibilities to senior IAS officers, with Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma being appointed as Principal Secretary to the Government in the Forests, Environment and Climate Change Department.
The changes were notified through an official order issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on Tuesday, reflecting the state government’s latest administrative realignment across key departments.
Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma Given Additional Charge of Forests, Environment and Climate Change
According to the notification, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, a 1999-batch IAS officer, is currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Government in the Excise Department. He is also holding additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited and Principal Secretary to Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited.
Under the fresh order, he has now been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Principal Secretary in the Forests, Environment and Climate Change Department, adding another important portfolio to his existing assignments.
The notification also clarified that he will continue to hold the additional charge linked to OPTCL.
OPTCL Responsibility to Continue
The government order specifically mentioned that Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma will continue as Principal Secretary associated with OPTCL while discharging his newly assigned role in the Forests, Environment and Climate Change Department.
This indicates that the state government intends to maintain continuity in key infrastructure and administrative sectors while redistributing responsibilities among senior officers.
Santhanagopalan Retains Excise and Beverages Responsibilities
In a related development, R. Santhanagopalan, who is currently serving as Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha and Ex-officio Principal Secretary to Government in the Home (Elections) Department, has been allowed to continue in additional charge of Principal Secretary to Government, Excise Department.
He will also continue as Chairman of the Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited.
With this arrangement, the additional charge earlier held by Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma as Chairman of Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited will automatically stand terminated from the date Santhanagopalan formally assumes charge.
Change in Odisha State Beverages Corporation Leadership
The order clearly states that once Santhanagopalan takes over, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma’s additional role as Chairman of the Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited will cease.
This move appears aimed at streamlining administrative roles and ensuring dedicated oversight across departments dealing with revenue, excise and state commercial operations.
Balwant Singh Continues Highway Authority Responsibility
The reshuffle also includes administrative changes involving Balwant Singh, currently Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Government in the Tourism Department.
He has been permitted to continue in additional charge as Chairperson of the Odisha State Highway Authority.
However, the earlier government notification dated February 5, 2026, which had assigned him additional charge as Managing Director of the same authority, has now been cancelled.
Administrative Balancing Across Key Departments
The latest reshuffle reflects Odisha’s continued effort to balance senior-level administrative responsibilities across strategic departments including forests, climate policy, excise administration, highways, elections and public sector corporations.
The Forests, Environment and Climate Change Department remains particularly significant as Odisha continues to manage climate resilience, forest governance and environmental regulation amid growing developmental demands.
