Retired IPS Prakash Mishra appointed Odisha CM’s advisor; Madhusudan Padhi new State Election Commissioner

In a major decision, the Odisha government on Monday appointed retired IPS officer and former DGP Prakash Mishra as the advisor to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. As per the notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, Prakash Mishra has also been accorded cabinet rank as well.

In an exclusive interview with OTV, Prakash Mishra said, “It is a major responsibility entrusted by the Chief Minister. I will try to do my best in the larger interest of the welfare of the people.”

Mishra further said that focus will be given to how the new BJP government will function properly and resolve the issues concerning the people of the state.

Prakash Mishra, a retired IPS officer of the 1977 batch, has had a distinguished career spanning nearly 39 years. He served as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha from 2012 to 2014 and later as the DGP of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from 2014 to 2016.

After his retirement, Prakash Mishra joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019, expressing his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's style of working and the government's response to national security issues. Mishra has been critical of the governance in Odisha.

Prakash Mishra was recently in the news for his new book titled ‘Comedy in Khaki’. The book stirred controversy by portraying the ex-Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, in a less-than-flattering light.

Similarly, in pursuance of clause (1) of Article 243-K of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Odisha today appointed retired IAS officer Madhusudan Padhi as the State Election Commissioner.