Centre Approves Senior IAS Officer Ahuja’s Return to Odisha

Ahead of an expected bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre has approved senior IAS officer Manoj Ahuja’s return to Odisha from central deputation. This decision aligns with the newly elected BJP government in Odisha’s request to facilitate Ahuja’s return.”The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved repatriation of Ahuja to his parent cadre on the request of the government of Odisha,” stated an order from the Department of Personnel and Training.Ahuja, previously serving as Union Agriculture Secretary, is now a strong contender for the Chief Secretary position as the current Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena’s extended tenure ends on June 30. Other candidates for the role include Satyabrata Sahu, Anu Garg, and Nikunja Bihari Dhal.Jena, a 1989-batch IAS officer, assumed the Chief Secretary position on March 1, 2023, and received a six-month extension after his initial retirement date of December 31, 2023.”The new government will form its own team of officers, and more officials currently on central deputation are expected to return,” a government source revealed.Currently, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) lacks officials, with the principal secretary and private secretary positions vacant for nearly five years. Additionally, several retired officials who held CMO posts have resigned, and selected secretaries serving in other departments who were on special duty at the CMO have been relieved.