Manoj Ahuja Appointed as Odisha’s New Chief Secretary
The newly formed BJP government in Odisha has named Manoj Ahuja, a 1990-batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre, as the state’s new chief secretary following the retirement of Pradeep Kumar Jena on June 30. Alongside his role as chief secretary, Ahuja has also been appointed as the secretary of the general administration department.
Hailing from Haryana, Ahuja returns to his parent cadre in Odisha after a central deputation that began in 2017. Notably, he is the first non-Odisha native to hold the position of chief secretary in the state in over two decades. Ahuja brings a wealth of administrative experience to his new role, having recently served as the Union Agriculture Secretary. His extensive resume includes significant positions such as Special Director at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
During his previous tenure in Odisha, Ahuja managed several key departments including Cooperation, Steel and Mines, Sports and Youth Affairs, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, and served as Commissioner of Commercial Tax. His repatriation and subsequent appointment are seen as critical moves by the BJP, particularly given the relative inexperience of many newly appointed ministers in the state government.
Ahuja’s expertise will be crucial in the execution of BJP’s election promises and in selecting senior IAS officers and district collectors for the Mohan Majhi administration. The finalization of the chief minister’s team is anticipated following Ahuja’s assumption of his new duties.
Sources within the government have indicated that Ahuja’s return to Odisha was facilitated by a formal request from the state government, reportedly on the advice of the BJP central leadership. A senior bureaucrat noted the importance of Ahuja’s counsel in deciding the continuation of schemes initiated by the previous BJD government, emphasizing the transitional phase the new administration is currently navigating.
Manoj Ahuja’s educational background is equally impressive, with a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a Master’s in Public Administration (International Development) from Harvard University, USA.
