The tenure of Pradeep Kumar Jena, the current Chief Secretary, will come to an end June 30, Sunday. Ahuja is expected to take charge of the post Sunday afternoon.
Ahuja, who has been designated as the Secretary of the General Administration Department, is an IAS officer of 1990-batch.
It is a significant administrative move by the newly-elected BJP government in Odisha considering his wealth of administrative experience.
Ahuja, a Haryana native, has been on central deputation since 2017 and has now been repatriated to his parent cadre, Odisha, at the state’s request.
His notable previous roles include Special Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Ahuja had served as secretary of key departments like cooperation, steel and mines, sports and youth affairs and food supplies and consumer welfare and commissioner, commercial tax, during his service with the state government.
According to a communique from the CMO, Odisha, “Senior IAS Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the Chief Secretary by the State Government after returning from Central Deputation. Ahuja will take charge after the retirement of the present Chief Secretary PK Jena June 30. In addition, he will also take charge as Secretary of Public Administration and Public Grievances Department.”
Ahuja's role will be significant in implementing the BJP’s election promises and in selecting senior IAS officers for various departments and district collectors.
Read more: Odisha news
