The Union Government on Friday appointed Rajesh Verma as Additional Secretary Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare.
A 1987-batch IAS officer, Verma is at present serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He has been in Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) since January 2017 when ACS N Behera left the CMO to take over as Chairperson, Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
Verma, who served as Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment for two and a half years, was instrumental in bringing in the Krishi Karman award for the State for three consecutive years. Verma, who played a major role in formulating the State Government’s flagship programme Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA), has been picked up by the Government of India for his new post due to his experience in the primary sector.