History is being scripted in Odisha today as Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, takes office as the state’s 47th Chief Secretary. Following a notification from the Public Administration Department, Garg succeeds Manoj Ahuja, whose tenure concludes today, December 31.
A native of Lucknow and an alumna of Johns Hopkins University, Garg brings a wealth of experience to the pinnacle of the state's bureaucracy. Previously serving as the Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Water Resources, she formally assumes her new role this afternoon, marking a milestone as the first woman to hold the top administrative post in Odisha.
Her appointment signals a new era for the state's administration starting this New Year. Garg’s background in Sociology and Public Health is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Odisha’s future development strategies.