Odisha Chief Secy Manoj Ahuja’s tenure to end on Dec 31; speculation intensifies in power corridors

With Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja’s tenure set to end on December 31, intense speculation has begun over who will lead the State’s administrative machinery next. Will Ahuja receive another extension, or will a new face take charge?

Also Read: Mohan Majhi-govt to bring senior Odia IAS officers back to Odisha!

After the BJP came to power, Manoj Ahuja was brought back from Central deputation and appointed Chief Secretary. His tenure had already been extended by a year. Sources suggest the government may grant him another six-month extension.

If not, the next names in the seniority list are 1990-batch IAS officers Sanjeev Chopra and G. Srinivas. However, both are currently on Central deputation, making their appointment less likely.

This situation places 1991-batch IAS officer and Development Commissioner Anu Garg at the forefront, followed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahu. Anu Garg’s service tenure extends until March 2029, strengthening her prospects.

If appointed, she will become the first woman Chief Secretary in the history of Odisha. Political observers also see this as a strategic move as the State heads towards Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections—potentially signalling a message of women empowerment.

Regardless of who takes charge, the next Chief Secretary faces significant challenges: ensuring the timely implementation of the Odisha Chief Minister’s directives, speeding up administrative efficiency, enforcing the government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, resolving delays in executing UOI Notes, and advancing the government’s Vision 2036 for a developed Odisha.

Choice of the next Chief Secretary is expected to have both administrative and political implications.

“The State government is to decide whether Manoj Babu (Manoj Ahuja) will be given an extension or somebody else will be appointed in his place. However, a person should be selected who can be trustworthy, work for the people, and make the Government progressive,” former Chief Secretary, Bijay Kumar Patnaik, expressed.

“Main challenge before the next Chief Secretary will be how the delivery mechanism can be streamlined. The State government has to give priority to this. It is not that important who would become the next Chief Secretary,” political analyst Sandip Mishra opined.

Reported By: Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Arun Kumar Sahu