With Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja’s (IAS:1990:OR) extended one-year tenure set to conclude on December 31, 2025, uncertainty looms over whether the Centre will grant him another extension. In the absence of clarity, murmurs within the Power Corridor have intensified, triggering speculation over who could succeed him if the post falls vacant.
According to senior bureaucratic circles, four names are prominently in discussion—two currently serving as Secretaries in the Government of India and two holding key positions in the Odisha administration. Those in the reckoning include Sanjeev Chopra (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution; Gudey Srinivas (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes; Anu Garg (IAS:1991:OR), Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Odisha; and Satya Brata Sahu (IAS:1991:OR), Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Odisha.
If ongoing chatter is to be believed, the frontrunners appear to be Sanjeev Chopra and Satya Brata Sahu. Observers point out that in BJP-ruled states, the trend has often favoured officers returning from central deputation to take charge as Chief Secretary. In this context, Sanjeev Chopra—currently serving at the Centre—seems to have a clear advantage over his peers.
Also Read: Odisha: CS Manoj Ahuja gets one-year tenure extension (December 27, 2024)
Also Read: Odisha Chief Secretary almost certain to get extension by Dec 31 (December 5, 2024)
Join Us on WhatsApp