Just days after a major IAS-level reshuffle on February 5, the Odisha government on Thursday announced another round of transfers and additional responsibilities for several senior bureaucrats. The latest move is aimed at improving administrative efficiency and strengthening key departments amid evolving governance priorities.
Bhupendra Singh Poonia Given Additional Sports Portfolio
Bhupendra Singh Poonia, currently serving as Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education, has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
This development comes after the government withdrew the additional sports portfolio from Sachin Ramchandra Yadav, who was recently appointed as Agriculture Secretary. The reassignment signals a strategic redistribution of responsibilities within the state administration.
D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy Appointed IDCO Managing Director
In another significant decision, D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, who is already heading the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department, has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO).
The move is seen as part of the government’s efforts to streamline industrial development and boost investment facilitation in the state.
Rashmita Panda’s BDA Posting Cancelled
Rashmita Panda’s recent appointment as Vice Chairman of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has been cancelled. She will now take charge as Secretary of the MSME Department and serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Odisha Remote Sensing Application Centre (ORSAC).
The reassignment is viewed as an administrative recalibration aimed at aligning leadership roles with departmental priorities.
Surendra Kumar Meena Assigned CMGI Role
Surendra Kumar Meena, currently Additional Secretary in the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, has been given additional responsibility as Executive Director of the Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI).
The appointment is expected to strengthen institutional reforms and governance modernization efforts in the state.
Sunil Narawane Gets Additional Charge at IPICOL
Sunil Narawane, Director of Industries, has been assigned the additional charge of Managing Director at the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL).
He will continue to oversee the Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) and the Odisha State Financial Corporation (OSFC), maintaining continuity in industrial and financial institutional leadership.
Government Focused on Administrative Efficiency
Sources indicate that the reshuffle reflects the Odisha government’s continued efforts to enhance governance efficiency and ensure better coordination across departments.
With evolving developmental priorities and investment goals, the state administration appears focused on optimizing leadership roles to drive performance and policy implementation.