Bhubaneswar, December 31: Outgoing Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, accompanied by his wife and retired bureaucrat Arati Ahuja, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on the last working day of his tenure as the State’s top bureaucrat.

The Governor appreciated the services rendered by Ahuja, a 1990 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer, to the State and conveyed his best wishes for his future endeavours.

The Governor’s wife Jayashree Kambhampati was present on the occasion. Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Governor, Roopa Roshan Sahu, also attended the meeting.

During the interaction, issues relating to the State’s administrative progress and key governance initiatives undertaken during Manoj Ahuja’s tenure were discussed.

Ahuja’s tenure as Chief Secretary was marked by his focus on efficient governance, timely implementation of welfare schemes, and stronger administrative mechanisms. His coordinated approach across departments and emphasis on improved service delivery contributed to sustained governance reforms and the effective execution of developmental initiatives across the State.

Senior IAS officer Anu Garg of 1991 batch will succeed Ahuja, who had taken over as the Chief Secretray of Odisha on June 30 in 2024. He was given an extension for a period of one year from January 1, 2025.