Bhubaneswar, June 4: The Odisha government has appointed power sector veteran Sudhansu Sekhar Barpanda as a Member of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), ensuring the smooth functioning of the regulatory body following the recent resignation of its Chairperson, Pradeep Kumar Jena.
According to an official notification issued on June 3, Barpanda has been appointed under Sub-section (5) of Section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003. His appointment will come into effect from the date he assumes office.
The move comes just days after retired IAS officer and former Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena stepped down as OERC Chairperson. Jena, who was appointed to the post on March 28, 2025, was relieved from his responsibilities with effect from the afternoon of May 25, 2026, citing personal reasons.
Barpanda brings more than two decades of experience in India’s power sector. He has served for over 22 years with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise. He also held the position of Director (Market Operations) at Grid Controller of India Ltd (formerly POSOCO), the national agency responsible for managing and monitoring the country's electricity grid.
A graduate in Electrical Engineering from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, Barpanda is widely regarded as an expert in power system operations and electricity market management.
Officials said the appointment is aimed at maintaining continuity and operational efficiency within the Commission at a crucial time for Odisha’s power sector.
Meanwhile, Jena’s resignation has triggered speculation in certain quarters regarding the circumstances surrounding his departure. While some social media discussions have suggested possible regulatory or corporate pressures, no official confirmation has been provided, and the government has maintained that his resignation was due to personal reasons.
With Barpanda’s induction, the state government hopes to strengthen the regulatory framework governing Odisha’s electricity sector and ensure uninterrupted functioning of the OERC.
