Is Naveen following JB’s path?

Bhubaneswar: A day after chief minister Naveen Patnaik appointed an IPS officer as Officer on Special Duty (OSD), talks are doing round that he is following the path of his predecessor JB Patnaik, who had done exactly the same during his tenure to strengthen the law and order in State.

The latest development which has drawn attention from all sections is the appointment of IPS Dhirendra S Kuttey as OSD to chief minister.

For the first time in his last 17 years of governance, this is quite new style of watchful policy made by the chief minister, especially to keep a vigilant eye on various issues like communal tensions, political violence and women safety.

Political analysts say such a development is not new to Odisha politics. Similar kinds of precedents were also witnessed during the tenure of Janaki Ballav Patnaik as Chief Minister, who had appointed two such special officers.

The decision came in the wake of some recent law and order situations including unrest in Bhadrak, post-poll violence in several parts of the state, group clash, which have allegedly questioned the efficacy of law enforcing department.

Earlier, the CM had also appointed many distinguished personalities as special officials to oversee various departments. They include Sam Pitroda as IT advisor, Subroto Bagchi as Skill Development advisor, K Srikanth as health advisor.

Experts also feel the need of an OSD to tackle some special issues. “The chief minister may want to keep a strict vigil on the law and order. The Home department can’t always tackle some situation. So, he might need an officer like this, who can be entrusted with task of any important investigation. The officer would also apprise the CM about the crime and law and order situation in State”, feels retired bureaucrat Aravind Behera.