With change in rule, Odisha gets new chief secretary in Manoj Ahuja, who has been repatriated from centre to home cadre to assume the top charge. Ahuja, a 1990-batch IAS replaces Pradeep Kumar Jena, whose term ends on June 30 after getting a six-month extension.
The General Administration and Public Grievance Department on Friday issued a notification confirming Ahuja's appointment upon his repatriation from the Government of India. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his return to Odisha on June 25, following the state government's request.
Ahuja was serving on central deputation, holding the position of secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare since April 1, 2022.
Prior to being agriculture secretary, Manoj Ahuja was the officer on special duty (OSD) in the same department, chairman of CBSE and special director of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Musoorie.
“On the repatriation from government of India, Manoj Ahuja, IAS, is appointed as chief secretary, Odisha and secretary to government, General Administration and Public Grievance (GA&PG) Department consequent upon the retirement of Pradeep Kumar Jena, IAS, with effect from June 30, 2024 (afternoon),” the GA&PG department said in a notification issued on Friday.
A mechanical engineer by education, Ahuja has served in various capacities within the Odisha government, including as sub-collector and secretary of several key departments such as Food & Civil Supplies, Steel & Mines, Sports & Youth Services, and Cooperation.
Manoj Ahuja is considered as an upfront and dynamic officer with unblemished record. His experience of working in BJP regime at centre will help him carry out programmes and schemes at state level also. As a secretary agriculture, he played a crucial role in securing food requirements of the country by promoting cultivation of coarse cereal along with wheat and rice.
Ahuja's wife, Arti Ahuja, also an Odisha cadre IAS officer, is currently serving on central deputation as secretary labour and employment department.
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