Bhubaneswar, Apr 18: Nikunj Bihari Dhal, 1993 batch IAS and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, will be on central deputation. He will take charge as Parliamentary Affairs Secretary on July 1.

Umang Narula, who is currently the Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, will retire on June 30. He will be replaced by Nikunj Bihari Dhal. Nikunj Dhal was earlier the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha.

He ensured peaceful conduct of the 2024 General and State Assembly Elections in the State. Earlier, there was talk that he would go on deputation.

Santosh Sarangi, 1994-batch IAS officer who is already on Central deputation, has also been entrusted with a new responsibility. He has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Sarangi is currently serving as Director General in the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Notably, the Central government today entrusted 20 top officers with new responsibilities. Responsibilities given to Dhal and Sarangi are part of the reshuffle.

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