Dhal moves to Centre as parliamentary affairs secy

Bhubaneswar: In a significant administrative reshuffle, Nikunja Bihari Dhal, the additional chief secretary to Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, was appointed secretary of the Union ministry of parliamentary affairs. Dhal, a 1993-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, will succeed Umang Narula, who retires on June 30. Before his lead role in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Dhal served as the chief electoral officer of Odisha.
The departure of Dhal, who was the senior-most bureaucrat in the CMO, has triggered speculation about his successor. According to govt sources, three officers are being considered for this crucial position — one currently on central deputation and two serving in the state. Dhal's appointment to the key central position comes at a time when he was playing a pivotal role in the CMO, having been specially brought in after Majhi assumed office. The selection of his replacement is being closely watched as the position is considered one of the most significant in the state administration.
The Centre also announced key appointments of two other senior Odisha cadre IAS officers to prominent positions. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, a 1994-batch IAS officer, was appointed as secretary in the ministry of new and renewable energy. Sarangi, who currently serves as director general of foreign trade in the ministry of commerce and industry, will assume the new role in the coming days.
Ranjana Chopra, also from the 1994-batch, was promoted to the rank of special secretary. Chopra, who is currently serving as additional secretary and financial adviser in the ministry of culture, will continue her role with the elevated designation.