Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Sahoo, a distinguished 2006-batch IAS officer, has been quietly and efficiently orchestrating a notable transformation within the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Odisha.
Serving as PS to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Shri Sahoo’s dedicated efforts have not only streamlined administrative processes in CMO-vis-à-vis State Administration but also earned him national acclaim as a “Changemaker-2024.”
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who assumed office on June 12, 2024, is nearing his first year of pro-people governance.
In this significant period, the positive and proactive role of Shri Sahoo has become increasingly apparent. Pose him a problem, Shri Sahoo has a solution in hand, pointed out an Additional Chief Secretary, handling a sensitive sector.
Prior to his current appointment, Shri Sahoo joined the Odisha Government on an inter-cadre deputation from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre in December 2024, initially as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister. He was formally appointed as Private Secretary to CM Majhi on January 4, 2025.
Sources within the State Administration confirm that since the departure of Additional Chief Secretary to CM, Nikunja Bihari Dhal, for a central government assignment, the operations within the CMO have seen a marked improvement. Working atmosphere has changed for better and file movement has smoothened.
The efficiency of file movement and the overall ecosystem of the office have become significantly smoother, largely credited to Shri Sahoo’s reputation as a “go-getter” and his commitment to integrity and honesty.
This quiet efficiency has not gone unnoticed. Shri Sahoo was recently lauded for his recognition as an outstanding IAS officer, being named a “Changemaker-2024” by “Bureaucrats India,” a leading online platform that extensively covers Indian bureaucracy.
This national acknowledgment has brought immense satisfaction to both senior and young IAS officers across the country, who expressed happiness at Shri Sahoo’s inclusion in this prestigious national listing.
A senior mandarin currently serving in the Union Government described Shri Sahoo as an “IAS officer of high caliber and one of the most efficient bureaucrats,” specifically acknowledging his “honesty and integrity.”
As Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, often referred to as the “Peoples’ Chief Minister,” intensifies his efforts to connect with the citizens, especially the underprivileged, the presence of a dedicated and efficient officer like Shri Sahoo in the CMO is widely regarded as a significant blessing for the state and its populace.
His appointment has cemented the speculation regarding a crucial role for him in CM Shri Majhi’s core team.