By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who assumed office in June 2024, has focused on administrative efficiency, anti-corruption drives, infrastructure development, and economic growth initiatives. Saswat Mishra serves as the Principal Secretary to the CM, a role involving high-level coordination, policy advice, and oversight of key governmental functions. Manoj Sahoo is the Private Secretary, responsible for managing the CM’s daily operations, scheduling, and facilitating inter-departmental communications.
Both are senior IAS officers, and their performances can be assessed based on public records, media reports, and governmental outcomes since their appointments. It may be noted that direct performance metrics are limited in public sources, as these roles are advisory and operational rather than publicly quantifiable like departmental heads. Analysis draws from available data up to early 2026, showing generally positive contributions amid broader CMO achievements, with no major criticisms identified.
Saswat Mishra: Background and Performance Analysis: Saswat Mishra, a 1996-batch IAS officer, was appointed Principal Secretary to the CM in June 2025, concurrently holding roles in finance and other departments. Previously, he served as Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chairman of the Odisha State Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC), bringing expertise in administration, finance, and policy.His appointment was highlighted for his “administrative acumen and policy expertise,” positioning him as a key figure in streamlining CMO operations.
Key Contributions and Strengths:
Coordination in High-Level Meetings and Initiatives: Mishra has been actively involved in critical reviews, such as the January 2026 Vigilance Department meeting chaired by the CM, where the department’s strong performance in anti-corruption efforts was commended. He attended alongside top officials, contributing to discussions on making Odisha corruption-free. Similarly, he participated in meetings with foreign service officers and IFS batches, aiding diplomatic and environmental engagements.
Fiscal and Economic Oversight: With his finance background, Mishra has supported Odisha’s commitment to fiscal discipline, as emphasized in CM Majhi’s addresses. This includes backing initiatives like the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave, which attracted Rs 16.73 lakh crore in investment proposals, reinforcing the state’s industrial growth. Sources note his role in enhancing public expenditure quality to drive economic growth.
Administrative Efficiency: Media portrayals describe him as a “critical figure” in the CM’s core team, with his track record enabling smooth policy implementation. In broader CMO contexts, his involvement aligns with Odisha’s economic progress, such as per-capita income growth nearing 90% of the national average and leading private investments.
Areas for Potential Improvement and Challenges: In a politically charged environment, opposition voices BJD spokespersons have criticized the BJP government’s overall law and order performance, indirectly implicating CMO coordination. Mishra’s tenure is relatively short (about 7 months as of January 2026), so long-term impact on metrics like job creation (targeting 150,000 government positions) remains to be fully evaluated.
No scandals or inefficiencies directly attributed to him, suggesting steady performance, though broader bureaucratic reshuffles under the new BJP government indicate ongoing adjustments.
Overall, Mishra’s performance appears solid, focusing on stability and policy execution, contributing to the CMO’s role in Odisha’s growth trajectory as a potential “breakout state” with a USD 500 billion economy target by 2036.
Manoj Sahoo: Background and Performance Analysis: Manoj Kumar Sahoo, a 2006-batch IAS officer, was appointed Private Secretary to the CM in January 2025, replacing Arindam Dakua.His role emphasizes operational smoothness, handling the CM’s personal and administrative affairs.
Key Contributions and Strengths:
Streamlining CMO Operations: Reports praise Sahoo for his “dedicated efforts” in streamlining processes, making the CMO more efficient under Majhi’s leadership. This has been linked to broader governance improvements, such as cabinet approvals for departmental proposals.
Facilitating Key Projects: Sahoo played a role in advancing initiatives like the establishment of a new medical college in Jagatsinghpur, approved by the CM, demonstrating his influence in regional development.His involvement aligns with the government’s focus on healthcare, education, and infrastructure, including the integration of Ayushman Bharat for over 1 crore families.
Operational Support in Broader Governance: As part of the CM’s team, he contributed to anti-corruption and law enforcement efforts, with the CM expressing satisfaction over police performance in areas like illegal arms trade.In a one-year review of the BJP government, Sahoo’s appointment was noted amid efforts to rein in previous ecosystems and deliver on promises.
Areas for Potential Improvement and Challenges: Similar to Mishra, direct evaluations are sparse, with no negative reports found. However, general critiques of the BJP’s first year (like on law and order) could reflect on CMO efficiency. His tenure (about 1 year) coincides with transitional challenges, including bureaucratic shifts. Sahoo’s performance is viewed positively for enhancing day-to-day CMO functionality, supporting the government’s welfare and industrial agendas.
Overall CMO Performance Under Their Influence: The CMO has driven notable achievements, such as Rs 55,783 crore in new investments (creating 14,500+ jobs), skill development initiatives (like, 47 ITIs as Centers of Excellence), and road safety projects. Mishra and Sahoo’s roles have bolstered these, with Odisha’s economy growing at 7.4% (above national 6.2%), poverty reduction to 11.07%, and top fiscal health rankings. Opposition claims of decline (like crimes against women) highlight potential gaps, but no direct blame on these officials. Their tenures suggest effective support for Majhi’s vision, though longer-term data is needed for comprehensive assessment.
