Madhusudan Padhi takes charge as State Election Commissioner; a peek into his illustrious career

Madhusudan Padhi took charge as the State Election Commissioner at the Election Commission's office in Bhubaneswar on Friday. In a formal ceremony, outgoing State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi handed over his responsibilities to Padhi making him the eight election commissioner of the State.

Upon taking office, Padhi recognised the critical nature of his duties. He voiced his commitment to ensuring the seamless conduct of the forthcoming municipal, panchayat elections and other crucial events in the State's democratic process.

Aditya Prasad Padhi's tenure concluded in August 2024, and the position had remained vacant since then. 

After taking the charge, Padhi said, “The State government has entrusted me with a major responsibility. I will try to conduct the forthcoming municipal and panchayat elections smoothly and impartially.”

Padhi’s Distinguished Career in Civil Service:

Throughout his illustrious career, Madhusudan Padhi, a 1991-batch IAS officer, held several key positions in the Odisha government. He served as the Managing Director of OMFED, Principal Secretary of the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, and Transport Commissioner. Padhi also occupied the role of Principal Secretary in the Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT) Department. 

Also Read: Plus 3 question paper leak in Odisha: 10 college students among 12 held

His expertise in public administration is further evidenced by his educational background, which includes a B.Sc. in Metallurgy Engineering and an Advanced Certificate of Studies in Public Administration from Syracuse University, New York. Padhi's career culminated with a promotion to the rank of Chief Secretary before his retirement in October 2022, underscoring his significant contributions to state administration.

Innovative Governance Initiatives:

Madhusudan Padhi has been recognised for his innovative approaches to governance throughout his career. As Secretary of Higher Education, he conceptualized and implemented the SAMS (Students Academic Management System) project, which digitized admissions to Junior and Degree colleges.

Read More: Retired IPS Prakash Mishra appointed Odisha CM’s advisor; Madhusudan Padhi new State

This initiative earned the National e-Governance Gold Award for 2011-12 as the best citizen-centric service delivery project. In the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department, Padhi introduced the computerized Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) and the Farmer Registration and Paddy Procurement Automation System (P-PAS), streamlining public distribution and paddy procurement processes. 

The P-PAS project received the National e-Governance Silver Award for 2014-15, further highlighting Padhi's commitment to leveraging technology for improved governance.

Contributions to Various Sectors:

Padhi's diverse experience spans multiple sectors, showcasing his versatility as an administrator. As Collector of Kandhamal, he formed KASAM (Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing), a district-level marketing organization to support tribal farmers, which now exports produce worth several crores annually. 

During his tenure as Collector of Khordha, Padhi, along with the DFO, created a 150-acre medicinal plants garden in Patrapada, which later developed into a Medicinal Plant Knowledge Center. This initiative not only provided a green space for Bhubaneswar residents but also prevented slum formation on prime land. As Transport Commissioner, he implemented the Odisha Permit Management System (OPMS) in 2017, digitalizing services for bus operators and citizens.