Bhubaneswar: The first meeting of the Search Committee for the setting up of Food Commission in the state was held at Secretariat here on Thursday.
The meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Aditya Padhi, revealed that as many as 27 persons have applied for post of chairman of the commission.
According to sources, former chief secretary GC Pati, retired IAS Rangalal Jamuda, Ashok Thripathy and Girija Shankar Patnaik are among the front runners for the chairman's post of the commission. However, the state government will take a final call for the post.
Similarly, as many as 77 persons have applied for membership of the commission, sources said.
Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies department has said the Food Commission will be operational within one month.