Dispelling the general public perception, former Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik in his parting remarks made it clear that he had no inclination towards politics and would not join politics after his retirement.
The 1976 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer retired as Chief Secretary of Odisha on Sunday after an eventful 37 years of public service, handing over the charge to Chief Secretary designate Jugal Kishore Mohapatra.
Virtually the main advisor to Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik in all matters of policy and administration since 2004, the soft spoken, positive and at the same time shrewd civil servant was believed to be pursuing a political career after retirement as a BJD Member of the Parliament.
However, on Sunday while relinquishing office as Chief Secretary, Patnaik in his parting tongue- in -cheek remark before the media said he won’t switch over to politics. “I have no interest in political life,” he quipped. Anyway, the trusted bureaucrat of Naveen regime had got the loyalty benefit.
In a gesture viewed as political, Chief Minister accommodated Patnaik as Chairman of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) that conducts recruitment and selection of candidates for different State Government posts. Patnaik indicated that he would join the new assignment within two-three days.
Mohapatra expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for appointing him as the Chairman of the OSSC and giving another opportunity to serve the State. Patnaik, who handed over the charge to new Chief Secretary Mohapatra had a pat on him, saying, “Jugal has all the qualities of an excellent chief Secretary.”
Saying that Mohapatra is one of his close friends, Patnaik hoped that Mohapatra, being an honest and hard working officer, would be a good Chief Secretary. “I hope he will perform even better than me,” said Patnaik.
Stating that the development process would continue in the State after his retirement, Patnaik hoped, “Jugal will carry forward the development process in a better way.”
“Development is a continuous process. There is no beginning or end. The development process was going on before me and will continue after me as well. Whatever I could do, I did,” said Patnaik.
Referring that Odisha is still considered as one among the backward States, Patnaik in an emotional tone called upon the people to vow to remove the backward tag. Expressing his pleasure of worked with colleagues in a family like atmosphere, he said, “I will cherish the great feelings of my colleagues.” “During my 37 years of career as civil servant, I have received utmost cooperation at every level from my colleagues. I am very grateful,” he asserted.