Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Pradeep Kumar Jena has been named the new Chief Secretary (CS) of Odisha. Jena is a 1989-batch officer and is currently Development Commissioner and Special Relief Commissioner of the state.

According to an official notification, he will take charge on March 1, replacing SC Mohapatra, whose tenure is ending on February 28. Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has been named the next Development Commissioner.

Mahapatra, a 1986-batch IAS officer, has been the head of Odisha’s bureaucracy since December 2020. Though he was scheduled to retire on February 28, 2022, he got two extensions for one year beyond his date of superannuation.

Born on January 1, 1964, Jena began his career as the Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district in 1991. He also served as the Collector of the coastal Kendrapara district before being appointed the District Magistrate-cum-Collector of Cuttack.

Jena, who has a Master of Science degree in geology, is a resident of Dhenkanal district. He has held key positions in energy, water resources, rural development and information technology departments.

Jena’s role will be crucial in the expeditious implementation of some of the critical infrastructure and other projects like the transformation of Jagannath Temple in Puri, renovation of other religious places, upgradation of SCB Medical College in Cuttack and implementation of irrigation projects in different parts. /BI/