Another Thapar, PU alumnus, Punjabi IAS tipped to become chief secretary of a major state
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ June 25,2024
Manoj Ahuja, IAS of 1990 batch, Odisha cadre is tipped be become chief secretary of Odisha govt.
Today, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved repatriation of Manoj Ahuja, IAS (OR:90), Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to his parent cadre on the request of Government of Odisha.
He is going to succeed PK Jena, IAS of 1989 batch. Jena’s term is going to end on June 30.He is working on extended term of six months.
Manoj Ahuja, Odisha cadre IAS officer is on central deputation, since November 2017. Presently Ahuja serves as the Secretary of Agriculture in India.
Manoj Ahuja holds a B.E. (Mechanical) degree from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh (of 1986-88) and a Master’s in Public Administration (International Development) from Harvard University, USA.
With a distinguished career as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1990, Ahuja previously held the prominent position of Chairman at the Central Board of Secondary Education within the Ministry of Education, attaining the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
Prior to joining as Secretary, Agriculture, Manoj Ahuja has held several portfolios like Joint Director (Personnel Training / Personnel & General Administration), Commissioner & Secy (Steel & Mines, Sports & Youth Services).
Another Thapar, PU alumnus, Punjabi IAS tipped to become chief secretary of a major state. Anurag Verma, IAS of 1993 batch is already serving as chief secretary, Punjab and he is also a Thapar Institute alumni. Similarly, Donald Phillips Wahlang , IAS of 1993 batch is also a alumni of Thapar institute who is presently Chief Secretary of Meghalaya.
In recently held elections, the BJP has won the Assembly elections in Odisha with 78 seats, while the incumbent BJD could only secure 51 seats.
