Union tribal minister Jual Oram has written a letter to Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja to initiate disciplinary action against his private secretary Parag Harshad Gavali, who is 2013 batch IAS officer from Odisha cadre. He was appointed as PS to Jual Oram in July 2024.
Oram alleged that Gavali has been absent from his duty since January 23, 2025 without any intimation. The minister termed this as an unauthorised absence.
In a letter to the chief secretary, Jual claimed that Gavali's continued unauthorised absence is in violation of service rules and has caused disruptions in the functioning of the office, the letter read.
“In light of the above, I have requested DoPT to initiate appropriate disciplinary action against Dr Parag Harshad Gavali as per the relevant provisions of the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. I formally request you to update records in the personal file of Dr Parag Harshad Gavali, presently posted as my private secretary. This letter should be part of his APAR for the year 2024-25,” his letter stated.
Oram wants to replace Gavali
Gavali has discontinued attending minister's officer after Jual, on January 7, wrote to PK Mishra, principal secretary to the PMO for replacement of Gavali as his PS citing personal reasons.
“The undersigned proposes to make changes in the support team of the Minister for Tribal Affairs. In this context, it is recommended that the present private secretary Dr Parag Harshad Gavali be replaced for personal reasons. The decision to replace Gavali has been made based on personal considerations. The present change is intended to ensure optimal support and efficiency in the minister's Office,” Jual's letter said.
Before his appointment as Jual's private secretary, Gavali had served as Sundargarh collector.
Alok Mathur is a law graduate. Journalism is his first love which he now pursues in the latter half of his career. Controversies and crime are the right triggers for him.
