Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Nikunj Bihari Dhal, who is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary to Odisha CM, has been appointed as the Secretary of Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment. He will assume charge after the superannuation of Umang Narula.
The Notification issued by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet stated “Nikunja Bihari Dhal, lAS (OR:93), presently in the cadre, as Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs vice Shri Umang Narula, IAS (AGMUT:89) upon his superannuation on 30.06.2025”
The 1993 batch officer, Dhal had earlier served as the Chief Electoral Officer.
Similarly, the 1994 batch Odisha Cadre IAS officer Santosh Kumar Sarangi has been appointed as the Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The ACC also approved in-situ upgradation of Odisha Cadre IAS officer Ranjana Chopra to the level of Special Secretary. She became the Special Secretary and Finance Advisor, Ministry of Culture.
