Bhubaneswar, Apr 8: Former chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena took oath as the Chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) at the Raj Bhavan here in Bhubaneswar.

The oath of office was administered by Governor of Odisha Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati. Several key members of the OERC were present during the oath taking ceremony.

Notably, Jena's appointment was made under sub-section 5 of Section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Jena, a 1989-batch IAS officer, was appointed chief secretary of Odisha on February 26, 2023, and continued in the post till June 30, 2024, including a six-month extension in view of the general elections in April-May 2024.

He had served as secretary of the Energy department for a period of over six years from 2006 to 2014. He had also been chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.

Besides, Jena had also served as the development commissioner and special relief commissioner (SRC) during the crucial period of Covid-19 pandemic.

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