As promised under the 5T and Mo Sarkar programmes, the State Government has promoted four 1995-batch IAS officers, Hemant Sharma, Bishnupada Sethi, Chithra Arumugam and Sushil Kumar Lohani, to the Principal Secretary rank as a New Year’s gift.
The officers have been given in-situ promotion as per the notification issued by the GA Department on Monday. The Chief Minister had earlier asked all the Departments to ensure promotion to deserving officers and employees before December 31.
The officers would assume charges as Principal Secretary in incumbent posts on New Year. While Sharma would take charge as Principal Secretary of Industries, MSME and Textiles, Handloom and Handicraft Departments, Bishnupada Sethi take charges as Principal Secretary, Energy.
Arumugam would take Principal Secretary, School and Mass Education and Lohani to continue as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the upgraded rank.
Besides, the State Government has also promoted 2000-Batch IAS officer T Apang Ao to Super Time Scale as RDC, Southern Division and 2004-batch IAS officer Roopa Mishra to Super Time scale as Director-cum-Special Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Mishra would continue as Chief Executive, OREDA and Director, State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD).
Similarly, 2004-batch IAS officer Sunderlal Seal was also given in-situ promotion as Director, Higher Secondary Education.
District Collectors of Keonjhar, Balangir, Kendrapada and Baleswar also got in-situ promotion.
They are 2011-batch IAS officers Ashish Thakre, Arindam Dakua, Samarth Verma and K Sudarshan Chakravarthy. Their batch mate Reghu G was given in situ promotion to Junior Administrative Grade and will continue as Director, Technical Education and Training. He would also assume charges as Director, Industries.