OFDC Chairman, MD Clash Over Official Orders

A dispute has emerged between Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) Chairman Bishnupada Sethi and Managing Director Prem Kumar Jha over conflicting official orders.

On October 30, Chairman Sethi directed that an Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officer continue as Junior Administrative Officer until further orders from the competent authority. However, MD Jha issued a counter-order stating that the officer had already been relieved and could not be reinstated under the chairman’s directive. Jha cited the officer’s unsatisfactory performance despite repeated warnings.

Earlier, on June 25, Sethi had also cancelled the MD’s transfer orders involving 11 divisional managers, calling them unauthorised. The latest disagreement has created a stir in bureaucratic circles. While Sethi was unavailable for comment, Jha declined to respond.