Odisha CMO seeks data on re-engagement of officers; Babus start resigning

The new BJP government in Odisha is all set to go for a massive revamp from the previous ‘officer raj’ system which had become the point of discussion during the previous BJD government in the state.

During the previous government, several babus were given re-engagements after retirement.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has now sought a list of those who have been re-engaged in various departments. The new directive has sent the departments in a tizzy as they have been asked to furnish data within three days.

The move has sparked apprehensions among the officers who were rehabilitated during the previous BJD government.

The Congress said that there is a need to remove such officers who have got a re-extension. BJD clarified that nobody was being rehabilitated as everything was done in a transparent manner.

“By ignoring unemployed youths, the BJD during its term brought retired babus as there was officer raj and it was only for political management and they will act as per their will. Seeking data is not enough, action should be taken,” said Congress MLA Sagar Das.

BJD MLA Sarada Jena said, “There are officers whose expertise is required in departments. In BJD’s term, only such officers who can discharge duties well were re-engaged.”

BJP MLA Amar Nayak said, “After retirement, new salary, pension, quarters and vehicles were provided to such officers. Hence, an analysis is being done to review the things so that the work can be sped up by appointing new officers.

There is now a buzz in the entire power corridor in Odisha. Moreover, some of the babus have started to put down their papers on their own. 

Already two powerful officials in the Housing and Urban Development Department have resigned. The previous BJD government had extended the tenure of IAS (promoted) Sangramjit Nayak, who was the director of the department for the last 11 years, for one year till June. Another officer-Sarada Panda, director of the Urban Development department was also hoping for a re-extension.

It is said that several IAS and OAS officers were also rehabilitated after their retirement in the state. OTV accessed the list of such officials whose term has been extended by six months to one year by the previous BJD government.

According to retired bureaucrats, the Odisha government can cancel such an extension in one cabinet meeting.

Former chief secretary, Sahadev Sahoo said, “Such officers can be removed and it needs to be done. If the government has taken such a decision, it is a welcoming step.”

After the formation of the new government in Odisha, several officials including secretary Suresh Mohapatra, former CM’s advisor R Balakrishnan, IT Secretary Manoj Mishra and some others resigned. However, several others are still occupying posts and hoping for re-engagement.