The Odisha government has introduced a new rule requiring all IAS officers in the state to obtain prior permission from the Chief Secretary before availing leave or leaving their designated headquarters. This directive, issued through a circular by the General Administration (GA) Department, aims to ensure uninterrupted administrative functioning. The circular emphasized that instances of officers taking leave or exiting their headquarters without authorization have led to disruptions in official work, necessitating stricter oversight.
The GA Department serves as the administrative authority for IAS officers in the state, while the Chief Secretary is the competent authority for sanctioning all types of leave. Although no official reason has been cited for the new directive, sources suggest it follows Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram’s complaint against his private secretary, Parag Harshad Gavali (IAS: 2013: OR), for unauthorized absence. A day after Oram’s letter to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, the circular was reportedly issued.
Additionally, Minister Oram has urged the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to take disciplinary action against Gavali under the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. He has also written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), requesting Gavali’s replacement as his private secretary.
