OAS, ORS officers to face action for unauthorised travel, Odisha issues stern warning

Top officers cannot head to the Capital City just on a whim or for personal reasons without sufficient grounds. Senior officials can visit the State headquarters only for official purposes and on official work, the Revenue Department has warned.

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Several Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers, who are currently posted in key district-level roles, have been frequently visiting the Lok Seva Bhawan—state secretariat in Bhubaneswar—for personal reasons, promotions, and transfer lobbying. This has drawn the ire of the Revenue Department.

In response, the Revenue Department issued a stern warning, sending letters to all District Collectors and RDCs. The directive clearly states that if any OAS or ORS officer is found visiting Lok Seva Bhawan or the state headquarters without valid reasons or prior approval, disciplinary action will be taken against them.

This move stems from reports that many officers, after the change in government, have been trying to leverage political connections to secure favourable postings. Frequent and unauthorised visits to the secretariat have been causing disruptions in official work at the district level.

To curb this trend, the government is also planning to install AI-based surveillance cameras in secretariats and biometric systems in panchayats, blocks, and tehsil offices. The Chief Secretary had earlier asked departments to prepare a list of non-performing officers and consider forced retirement where necessary.

Now, attention turns to how effectively these orders are being implemented.

“Several officials are seen leaving the (district) headquarters frequently without permission. They are remaining absent without availing leave. After such things were noticed, a circular in this regard has been issued by the Department,” Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said.

“Officials must leave their respective headquarters with due permission from their higher-ups. Otherwise, appropriate administrative action will be taken against the flouting officials, in case deemed necessary,” the Revenue Minister warned.