Senior IAS officer Pradeep Kumar Jena, serving as Chief Secretary of Odisha, has retired from government service as of June 30.
Ahead of his retirement, Jena took to social media platform X to share his thoughts and emotions. In his heartfelt message, he wrote, “Some expectations were beyond my power. Sometimes people think a chief secretary can do everything. It’s not true. I’m bound by the limitations of systems, processes, and procedures, rules, and regulations. Even if I wanted to help in some cases, I couldn’t because of such limitations. Wherever the system supported or could be stretched, I have tried my level best to solve the problem. I’m sorry if I couldn’t come up to the levels of expectations of some of you. Outside the government, I will try to be one with you to facilitate solutions to some of the problems people will face. Please count me in.”
Jena also extended a warm welcome to his successor, Manoj Ahuja, a fellow IAS officer from the 1990 batch and a longtime friend from his days in Kalahandi. “I relinquished charge of @SecyChief today at 3:30 pm. I welcome Manoj Ahuja, one of my good friends from the 1990 batch (from my Kalahandi days), my successor Subcollector Dharamgarh, and I’m happy to have been succeeded by him today to hold the post of @SecyChief. Wish him all the best,” he wrote.
Pradeep Kumar Jena, a 1989-batch Odisha-cadre officer, assumed office following the superannuation of Suresh Chandra Mohapatra. His tenure as Chief Secretary has been marked by dedication and service, navigating the complexities and limitations inherent in the role.
