Bhubaneswar: When a Top Notch Administrator asked about 1990 Batch IAS Manoj Ahuja’s reputation in Odisha, the former Chief Secretary said “Its superb, and he is one of the most fair and impartial mandarin in the Cadre”.
Shri Ahuja has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha. The Department of General Administration and Public Grievances have brought out a notification in this regard on 28 June.
He will take over as Chief Secretary on 1 July as his predecessor Pradeep Jena superannuates on 30 June.
With a distinguished career as an Odisha Cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shri Ahuja is an honest, suave and good hearted person. He is a Team Leader and carries colleagues with him in a positive spirit, pointed out the former Chief Secretary.
Shri Ahuja was on Central Deputation serving as Union Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare from April 1, 2022 to June 25, 2024.
Previously, he held the prominent position of Chairman at the Central Board of Secondary Education within the Ministry of Education, attaining the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
Shri Ahuja has served as Special Director LBSNNA and is known for his command over Public Administration.
On the request of the Odisha Government, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved the repatriation of Shri Ahuja to his parent cadre on June 25 this year.
Shri Ahuja, a native of Punjab State, holds a B.E. (Mechanical) degree 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.
He started his career as Sub-Collector and then served in different Departments and also as Secretary of Food & Civil Supplies, Steel & Mines, Sports & Youth Services and Cooperation Departments.
He has also served as Commercial Tax Commissioner and Transport Commissioner.
As he has a long-term administrative experience in the Agriculture sector, it was expected that the new BJP Government is going to give importance to the agriculture sector.
“Governance will go on its own way and the new BJP Government will work to meet the expectation of the people with the support of all administrative officers,” Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said.