Suresh Chandra Mohapatra appointed Odisha chief secretary

Bhubaneswar: Suresh Chandra Mohapatra has been posted as Odisha chief secretary and chief development commissioner.

Presently, Mohapatra is serving as Development commissioner.

Chief secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy, who will retire on December 31, is appointed as chairman of Western Odisha Development Council.

He will be also principal advisor to chief minister on Regional Development, Tourism, Agribusiness and Industry.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena is posted as development commissioner cum additional chief secretary.

Academic and professional background of Suresh Chandra Mohapatra

Born at Kansar village in Deogarh district in 1962, Mohapatra belongs to Keonjhar district. He passed matriculation from DN Highschool Keonjhar, B. Sc.  from Ravenshaw college in 1982 and MSc tech Applied Geology from ISM Dhanbad in 1985. He joined IAS in 1986  after a brief stint in ONGC. After probation in Sambalpur district, he was posted as Sub collector Nuapada in Kalahandi district for 2 years from 1988 to 90. Then after he served as ADM Puri followed by PD DRDA  Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts between 1990 to 1993.

Mohapatra joined as first Collector of newly formed Bhadrak district in 1993 after the Riots. During serious Kandhamal riots, the than Chief Minister  Biju Pattnaik posted him as Collector Kandhamal to manage the riots. During Naba Kalebar of lords in 1996, he was posted as Collector Puri, removed encroachment around Meghanad pacheri and conducted Nabakalevar smoothly.

Mohapatra led Omfed as MD for about 6 years and launched many new products. He was entrusted with the responsibility of CEO, CESU after the power company AES left suddenly. Then he led GRIDCO as CMD for 3 years, became RDC Cuttack for 2 years. He was appointed as Chief Administrator of Puri temple for 3 years, Principal Secretary of energy department twice,  Principal Secretary in Water resources and Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Dept for about 8 years. 

During this time, Mohapatra very successfully started the trend-setting innovative schemes like mega lift, deep bore well, check dams and eco-tourism. These programmes, because of their success and potential were replicated and up-scaled in successive years.

Mohapatra was again posted  as chief administrator of Puri temple in 2015 for the second time during which he conducted Nabakalevar of the Lords . Presently, he is serving as Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner and working chairman of Temple management committee. He was also sent to handle Kandhamal riots in 2007 and 2008 by the Chief Minister.