Bhubaneswar: A day after being officially relieved by the Odisha state government to proceed on central deputation, 1993 batch senior IAS officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal shared his personal reflections on the challenges of balancing work and health during his last 18 months in the state.
In a LinkedIn post, Mr Dhal opened up about the intense demands of his role as Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, a position he took on June 30, 2024, following the BJP government’s ascent to power.
Mr Dhal acknowledged that his tenure, which included overseeing the high-stakes 2024 General Elections as Chief Electoral Officer, took a toll on his personal health and work-life balance.
“My last 18 months have been extremely stressful. The most challenging task was managing the General Elections in 2024, followed by my posting as Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, which required long working hours,” Dhal wrote. He highlighted the impact this had on his health, sharing that he was hospitalized in early March and struggled to attend to his personal matters or family.
Despite these challenges, Mr Dhal expressed gratitude for the support he received from friends and well-wishers, adding that he hoped to find a better balance in the coming days. His post was notably devoid of any mention of the Chief Minister or his colleagues, which some observers have interpreted as an attempt to clarify his departure amid speculation over internal tensions within the ruling BJP.
In his new role, Mr Dhal is set to join the central government as the Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, succeeding Umang Narula, whose retirement is scheduled for June 30, 2025. Mr Dhal’s appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee on April 18, 2025.
The state government has yet to announce a replacement for Mr Dhal, leaving many to speculate about the political dynamics within the state administration. His former position as Additional Chief Secretary is one of the most significant in the Odisha government, and the choice of his successor is being closely watched.
