Padhi to be Odisha's new chief secretary

Putting all speculation to rest, IAS officer Aditya Prasad Padhi is all set to be the next Odisha chief secretary, said informed sources on Saturday.

Padhi, a 1983 batch officer and presently additional chief secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, will succeed Gokul Chandra Pati, who retires from service on November 30.

However, the formal notification to this effect is yet to be made by the Chief Minister Office (CMO), the sources added.

Earlier, Padhi had handled several portfolios including home and industry.

Development Commissioner Upendra Nath Behera was also in the race for the post.