Manoj Ahuja Appointed New Chief Secretary Of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha. Ahuja, a seasoned diplomat, will succeed the incumbent PK Jena. The General Administration & Public Grievance Department has issued a notification in this regard.

“On repatriation from Government of India, Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS (RR-1990) is appointed as Chief Secretary, Odisha and Secretary to Government, General Administration and Public Grievance Department consequent upon the retirement of Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, IAS w.e.f. 30.06.2024(AN).,” the notification read.

According to a communique from the Chief Minister’s Office, Odisha, “senior IAS Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the Chief Secretary by the State Government after returning from Central Deputation. Ahuja will take charge after the retirement of the present Chief Secretary PK Jena on June 30.”

“In addition, he will also take charge as Secretary of Public Administration and Public Grievances Department,” it further read. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on  June 25, approved the repatriation of 1990-batch IAS officer Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to his parent cadre at the request of the Odisha government.

Ahuja has previously served as the Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education within the Ministry of Education, achieving the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. A B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Ahuja completed an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on International Development from Harvard University, USA. Acknowledged for his expertise and leadership, Ahuja was appointed as an ex officio member of the ICRISAT Board on April 1, 2022.