This came amid speculation about his role in the ruling party, which he joined last month after taking voluntary retirement from service in October.

“Pandian today cleared his stand on fighting the upcoming elections. He himself announced that he would not contest the 2024 elections. But as a dedicated worker, he will continue to strengthen the party,” Mishra said, adding that there should be no problem if he decides to contest the polls, but people should refrain from spreading rumours.

Former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena said Pandian will work for the BJD in all 147 Assembly constituencies in the state. “The former bureaucrat will work towards strengthening the BJD under the leadership of our party president Naveen Patnaik,” he said.

BJD MLA Sandip Routray told reporters that Pandian informed the meeting that he would continue to work for the party and unite it further. “Since Odisha has gained a reputation of well-governed state, he will work to increase the popularity of the party,” he added.

According to the GA&PG department’s notification, Special Secretary of Planning & Convergence department Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma has been posted as Commissioner of Land Records & Settlement.
Similarly, B Parameswaran, who is Director-cum-Additional Secretary to Government, Drinking Water & Sanitation, PR&DW department with additional charge of SPD, OHEPEE has been appointed as Commissioner of Consolidation. He will be replaced by Arindam Dakua, who is currently serving as Director of Special Project, PR&DW department.

“The post of Commissioner, Land Records & Settlement, Odisha, Cuttack, is declared equivalent in status and responsibility to the post of Special Secretary provided in the IAS Cadre of the state. Similarly, the post of Commissioner, Consolidation, Bhubaneswar is declared equivalent in status and responsibility to the post of Additoinal Secretary provided in the IAS Cadre of the state,” the notification stated.

Ramashis Hazra, Director of AH & VS, is allowed to remain in additional charge of President, Board of Secondary Education (BSE), replacing Jyoti Prakash Das, who has been appointed as Director, Special Project, PR & DW Department. Das will remain in additional charge of Director, ROTI.

Similarly, Indramani Tripathy has been appointed as Director, ST. He will continue to remain in additional charge of Additional Secretary to Government, ST & SC Dev, M & BCW Department and Director, SC & STRTI.
Financial Advisor, Board of Revenue, Subrata Satapathy will remain in additional charge of Inspector General of Registration, it added.

Chairing one-day Collectors’ Conference at Kharavela Bhawan here, she said the State level and district officials should work as a team to achieve different targets as set by the government. She also reviewed the status of different schemes and programmes being implemented at district level.

Principal Secretary of SSEPD department Sushil Kumar Lohani emphasised on the need for ensuring regular disbursement of old age pension. He also reviewed the status of Mo Ghar Scheme and PMAY(G).

Principal Secretary of Finance informed about the status of opening of banking outlets in GPs which are yet to covered by brick and mortar branches. People in rural areas will get benefit of doorstep banking services.

Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport department explained about implementation of LAccMI (Location Accessible Multi- model Initiative) scheme. In first phase, 55 Ama Bus stand (ABS) have been set up so for and 124 are in the pipeline. Collectors were told to look after the ABS already operational as regards to its maintenance and regular functioning aspects.

Detailed presentation was made on District Level Intensive Skilling by the Principal Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education, in convergence with different departments.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment made a presentation on crop weather situation and contingency plan for Rabi as well as Odisha Millet Mission activities.

ACS, Energy Department, Commissioner Cum-Secretary, W&CD Department & Commissioner Cum-Secretary S&ME advised the collectors on faster electrification of all uncovered AWCs and schools.

Detail discussion was held on utilization of DMF and OMBADC Funds for saturation of basic facilities and promotion of livelihood activities in mining affected districts.

Among others, Addl. Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-Cum-Secretaries of all departments, collectors of all the districts were present.