Mohan Majhi-govt to bring senior Odia IAS officers back to Odisha!

Two IAS officers -- Sanjib Mishra and Manoj Sahu -- arrived in Odisha this week. The State government had requested the transfer of these two officers to Odisha. It is being speculated that Manoj Sahu might be given a significant position in the Chief Minister's Office.

To further enhance and invigorate the administrative framework, it is said that the new government led by Mohan Majhi has decided to bring skilled Odia IAS officers back to the State.

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This significant move may bring about a fresh wave in the administrative landscape and discussions have intensified in the power corridors. 

Currently, Manoj Sahu is serving as Deputy Election Commissioner in New Delhi. Sanjib Mishra from the 1997 batch returned to Odisha cadre, and Manoj Sahu from the 2006 batch of Arunachal-Goa-Mizoram cadre is also coming on a three-year deputation to Odisha.

The Government had requested their cadre change and deputation, which has recently been approved by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet. Discussions are underway that Manoj Sahu might be assigned a key role in the CMO, while Sanjib Mishra might also receive an important assignment under the Mohan Majhi government.

“Efficiency of the Odia officers working outside the state is incomparable. Hence, it is quite natural that as Odia and keeping Odia Asmita (Odia Pride) in mind, our efforts will be to bring efficient and honest Odia officers back to the State,” Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said mediapersons.

Out of 248 IAS positions in the State, 186 officers are currently working in the Odisha cadre. Among these, approximately two dozen are on deputation in other states or the Centre. While eight IAS officers from the 2023 batch are receiving training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy, six officers are undergoing training in different districts.

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Significantly, several IAS officers currently hold charge of two to three additional departments. In such a scenario, the Government is determined to make the administration more active and bring Odia IAS officers on deputation or from other cadres.

In the previous government, there was a political shift towards neglecting Odia officers in the administrative framework in favour of non-Odia officers. Therefore, this move is also seen as an effort to restore Odia Asmita within the administration.