FORMER COMMISSIONERS

Shri Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Chairperson,OERC

Shri Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, formerly of the Indian Administrative Service, joined the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission as Chairperson on 1st March, 2023 after retiring from the post of Chief Secretary which he held from 1st January, 2021 to 28th February, 2023. Born on 4th February 1962, Shri Mahapatra completed his M.Sc. Tech in Applied Geology from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad in 1985. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1986 after a brief stint in ONGC.

In an illustrious career in IAS spanning over 36.5 years, Shri Mahapatra has held multifarious positions both at District and at State level. Shri Mahapatra started his career as Sub-Collector, Nuapada in Kalahandi District in 1988. After a stint of ADM and Project Director, District Rural Development Agency he served as Collector of Bhadrakh, Kandhamal and Puri districts. He is credited for successful handling of Riots in Kandhamal district in 1994, 2007 and 2008. He conducted Navakalevar Festival in Shree Jagannath Temple Puri in 1996  and 2015 successfully as Collector  and Chief  Administrator of  Shree  Jagannath Temple. He was   specially deputed to Puri and Bhadrakh districts during and after super cyclone of 1999. Shri Mohapatra also worked as Managing Director of Odisha State Cooperative Milk Federation (OMFED) for about 6 years.

As far as power sector is concerned, Shri Mahapatra has unique distinction of working in distribution, transmission, trading and generation sector for about 6 years and was involved in Power Sector Reforms in the State from the very beginning.

He was appointed as Administrator of Central Distribution Company after exit of AES abruptly. He worked as CEO, CESU for about 2 years. Later on he worked as MD of GRIDCO (Transmission and Bulk Supply Company) from 2003 to 2006. He was Secretary to Government, Energy Department twice in 2008 and 2014 for a period of about 2 years during which time massive rural electrification work was taken up in the State. He also served as Chairman of OHPC and OPGC generating companies.

Shri Mahapatra has also worked as Secretary to Government in Water Resources Department for about 5 years and Additional Chief Secretary in Forest and Environment Department for 4 years. During this tenure he started the community managed eco tourism model in the State which has become a grand success with more than 50 Nature Camps at present in scenic locations, giving livelihood to forest dependent communities.

Shri Mahapatra served as Development Commissioner cum ACS in Planning and Convergence Department of the State for about 2 years where he was involved in budget preparation exercise for the State and monitoring of various plans and programmes. He headed the Committee which successfully auctioned the mineral blocks after amendment of MMDR Act on the orders of Supreme Court of India. This resulted in huge revenue generation for the State which fuelled investment in various sectors in the State.

Shri Mahapatra served as Chief Secretary of the State from 1st January, 2021 to 28th February, 2023. He played the pivotal role in management of Covid-19 Pandemic successfully in the State. As Chief Secretary he was also non-executive Chairman of all 4 private distribution companies.

Shri U. N. Behera was an officer of the Indian Administrative Service of 1983 batch of Odisha cadre. An Engineering Graduate from IIT, Kharagpur, he had 34 years of valuable experience in the IAS.He has spent early seven years in the district administration supervising various development programmes. Subsequently, as Managing Directors of Odisha State Co-operative Milk Producers'Federation (OMFED) and Odisha State Co-operative Oilseed Growers' Federation (Oil Odisha) he had been actively involved in organising farmer co-operatives and promotion of production, processing and marketing of milk, milk products and edible oil. Under his stewardship Odisha State Oilseed Growers'Federation won the best productivity award from the National Productivity Council consecutively for two years, 1991-92 and 1992-93.

He has worked in the industries sector as Managing Directors of IDCO and IPICOL primarily in promotion of industries, financing of small and medium industries and creation of industrial infrastructure. During his tenure as Managing Director the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) obtained ISO-9001 certification (1996) for quality standards and ISO-14001 certification (1998) for environmental standards. He also worked as Chief Executives of Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) and Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC). Mr. Behera played a key role in formation of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the first of its kind in the country immediately after the Odisha super cyclone of 1999 and was its first Managing Director.

He worked in Government of India for seven years between 2002 and 2009 in the Ministries of Steel, Science & Technology (Biotechnology) and Urban Development (DDA). During his tenure as Joint Secretary in the Department of Biotechnology, he also held the charge of Managing Director of Bharat Immunologicals & Biologicals Corporation (BIBCOL), a Central PSU. In the State Government, he has worked as Secretary in the departments of Home, Finance, Planning & Co-ordination, General Administration, Forest & Environment, Steel & Mines, Excise and Parliamentary Affairs. He was the State Development Commissioner-cum- Additional Chief Secretary for a year. He spent a year as Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Odisha before joining the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission as its Chairperson on the 16th of January, 2017.

He has travelled widely covering almost all the Indian states and about thirty foreign countries. He demitted office of Chairperson, OERC on 15th January, 2022.

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Shri Aswini Kumar Das, Member

Shri A. K. Das, born on 21st March, 1956 in Kalyanpur village of Jajpur District, Odisha, graduated in Electrical Engineering from University College of Engineering, Burla (now VSSUT, Burla) in 1978, completed Master Degree from University of Roorkee (now IIT, Roorkee) in 1988 and Master Degree in Business Administration from Utkal University. He joined Odisha Service of Electrical Engineers in 1978. After serving for 35 years under Govt. of Odisha, he retired as Engineer-in-Chief (Elect.)-cum-Principal Chief Electrical Inspector in March, 2014 to join as Member,OERC,Odisha.

During his tenure under Govt., he contributed to the development of Power Projects of the state like Upper Kolab, Upper Indravati & Rengali Hydro Projects. He had a tenure in Industry Deptt., Govt. of Odisha before moving to the Electrical Inspectorate & Works Deptt. and finally retired as EIC (Elect.)-cum-Principal ChiefElectricalInspector(PCEI).

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Shri S. P. Nanda, formerly of the Indian Administrative Service, joined the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission on 13th October, 2011 after retiring as the Member, Board of Revenue to the Govt. of Odisha. Born on 19th March 1952, Shri Nanda has done Masters Degree in Political Science from University of Delhi. After a brief period of lectureship in Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1975 in the Odisha cadre.

In an illustrious career spanning over 36 years, Shri Nanda has served as Secretary to Govt. of Odisha in Science and Technology, IT, Higher Education, Industries, Public Enterprises and Forest and Environment Departments. He has also served as the Chairman of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. Besides he has served Govt. of Odisha as Agriculture Production Commissioner and Development Commissioner. Shri Nanda has made significant contributions in the areas of industrial development, industrial infrastructure development, science & technology, IT and environment management.

During his tenure as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, he was instrumental in the development, financing and management of various industrial areas and infrastructure projects of the State. Similarly, he has done pioneering work in the field of environment management as Chairman of Odisha State Pollution Control Board when it implemented for the first time the principle - ‘Polluter Pays’.

A man of indomitable spirit and impeccable integrity, he has made his presence felt in all sectors of Odisha, be it Revenue, Agriculture, Environment Management or Industrial Development.

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Shri Sivapada Swain, formerly of the Indian Revenue Service, joined the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission on 9th April, 2012 after retiring as the Director General of Income Tax (Exemptions) to the Govt. of India. Born on 24th February 1952, Shri Swain has done Masters Degree in History from University of Delhi. After a brief period of lectureship in Odisha, he joined the Indian Revenue Service in 1976.

In an illustrious career spanning over 35 years, Shri Swain has held different positions in the field of Administration, Assessments and Investigation in the Income Tax Department of Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi. He was promoted to the Rank of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Additional Secretary to Govt. of India in April 2009 and was initially posted as Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Hyderabad. Later, he was transferred to Delhi in January 2010.

As a Tax Officer, he has knowledge of not only Income Tax Act but also Company Law, Law of Contract, Transfer of Property and Sale of Goods Act etc. He has long experience in dealing with corporate accounts and finance. As Director of Finance, he was intimately connected with the first Power Purchase Agreement signed with Gridco.

A man of knowledge and conviction, he has made immense contribution to the Income Tax Department of the country.

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Shri B.K. Misra, formerly of Indian Engineering Service, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Member on 6th April, 2009 after serving about 37 years in Govt. of India and Bhutan. Born on 1st October, 1949 in Puri, Orissa, he graduated in Electical Engineering in 1st class Honours in 1971 from REC, Rourkela (now NIT Rourkela). In the same year, he joined Central Electricity Authority (CPES Cadre).

In an illustrious career spanning over 38 years he has worked in various organizations viz Paradip Port Trust, EREB, Kolkata, NREB, New Delhi, Chukha Project Authority, Bhutan, Ministry of Power as OSD (Tariff)/Director, and CEA, HQ as Director/Chief Engineer, Secretary, CEA, Director (Technical) in Tala HEP (1020 MW) and Punatsangchhu HEP (1200 MW) in Bhutan.

Shri Misra has been nominated as Member of NIT – Rourkela in 2003-2008. He has been appointed as Director on the Board of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd. (HVPNL) and Member of Audit Committee of HVPNL, Haryana. He is also selected as external guide for Doctorate in Business Management Programme of AMU, Aligarh. He is also recipient of ‘RAJIV GANDHI SADHBHAVNA AWARD – BEST ENGINEER OF THE YEAR 2007’ received at the Prestigious award ceremony conducted by Rajiv Gandhi Forum on the occasion to observe 16th Death Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Late Rajiv Gandhi.

He has authored a number of technical papers and attended National and International Seminars and presented Keynote address on the subjects on Bulk Power Tariff, PPA, Tariff Issues and Concerns, Integrated Operation in Power Sector and Regulation in Power Sector etc. He has been nominated as India representative and read a paper on Indian Electric Power Market and Opportunity Available for the foreign Investors in the conference at New Orleans - USA. The paper published in Electrical World, Mc Grow Hill, New York. In 2005, he presented paper on “Regulations in Electricity Sector” in the All India Symposium on Electricity Laws conducted by Bar Council of Orissa, High Court, Cuttack.

He has undertaken specialized training in Load Despatching and Communication in the works of M/s Siemens AG, West Germany and visited all European Countries and USA to deliver lecture/keynote address in various seminar/conference. In February’09, he was invited by Technical University Vienna, Austria to give keynote address on key issues of Underground Power House and Tunneling in an International Seminar on Hydro Power Development.He Demitted Office Of Member, OERC on 6th April, 2014

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Shir K. C. Badu, IAS (retired voluntarily on 31.3.2007) formerly Special Secretary to Govt., Finance Department, Orissa, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission on 4th April, 2007. Born on 18th July, 1947, Shri Badu has done Masters Degree in Chemistry.

He joined the Orissa Finance Service (Senior Branch) in 1974 and worked in different capacities such as Treasury Officer, Commercial Tax Officer and Financial Adviser before getting selected to I.A.S. in 1994. He was posted as Collector and District Magistrate, Boudh from 8.5.1995 to 7.8.1996 and Director, Fisheries from August to December 1996. He became Member Secretary, Orissa State Finance Commission on 01.01.1997. In October 1997, he became Additional Secretary, Department of Finance and on 01.09.2004, he assumed the Office of Commissioner-cum-Special Secretary, Department of Finance, Govt. of Orissa on promotion to suppertime scale of pay in IAS. He was also kept in overall charge of finance department w.e.f. 1.4.2006 to 30.6.2006.

During his illustrious career he had marked his presence felt wherever posted in different capacities. In the Finance Department of Govt. of Orissa he has dealt with various financial and developmental issues of Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Plans. Besides this, he has taken up the State’s case for projection before the Tenth, Eleventh an Twelfth Finance Commissions. Because of his persistent efforts Orissa could get a favourable dispensation from the Twelfth Finance Commission.

He had made substantial contribution to the formulation and implementation of policies involving State Finances, Public Enterprises Reform and Power Sector Reform. He was instrumental in publishing White Paper on Orissa State Finances in March 2001 outlining various policies on Fiscal Restructuring. Orissa budget at a glance published annually is the brain work of Shri Badu and has been appreciated by RBI, different funding agencies etc. and now being adopted as model by other states.

Under his able stewardship and guidance and with the support from others the revenue deficit of the State has been reduced from Rs.2574.19 crore in 1999-2000 to Rs.522.30 crore in 2004-05. In fact, Orissa has been converted to a revenue surplus state with revenue surplus of Rs.481.19 crore in 2005-06 after a gap of more than 22 years. Addition of net loan on yearly basis and interest payment as percentage of revenue receipt are now on the declining path. There is more fiscal space now for undertaking development.

Shri Badu has substantially contributed to the turning around of the Orissa’s Finances which were characterized, in the past, by high revenue and fiscal deficit, rising debt burden and consequently limited resources for the development activities. He was instrumental in restructuring the State Finances and overcoming the financial crisis of the State.Shri Badu has substantially contributed to the turning around of the Orissa’s Finances which were characterized, in the past, by high revenue and fiscal deficit, rising debt burden and consequently limited resources for the development activities. He was instrumental in restructuring the State Finances and overcoming the financial crisis of the State.

He has attended many national and international training programmes and workshops including Performance Audit sponsored by Commonwealth at Lahore and World Bank conference on Fiscal Responsibility and Inter-governmental Finance in India at ASCI, Hyderabad. He played a crucial role in finalizing the agreement with World Bank and Govt. of India for sanction of performance linked assistance under the Orissa Socio- Economic Development Loan/Credit – (Structural Adjustment Loan – SAL).

He Demitted Office Of Member, OERC on 4th April, 2012

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Shri B.K. Das, formerly of the Indian Administrative Service, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Chairperson on 20th November, 2006 after retiring as the Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Karnataka. Born on 24th September 1946, Shri Das graduated from Loyola College, Chennai and completed his Masters in Economic History of Modern India from Utkal University in 1967. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1969 in the Karnataka cadre.

In an illustrious career spanning nearly 4 decades, Shri Das has made significant contributions specifically in the areas of Excise, Urban Development and Infrastructure Development in the state of Karnataka. During his tenure as Chairman of the Infrastructure Development Corporation, Karnataka, he formulated the infrastructure policy and several projects with private sector investment primarily the International Airport Project and Tadri Sea Port Project. He has played a major role in diverse fields like rural housing, infrastructure development, sericulture and census operations. He streamlined the entire system of collection of State Excise with a fully networked and integrated data management system in all the 19 districts of Karnataka. As CMD of Mysore Paper Mills Ltd, he was instrumental in turning around the company. He also contributed his skills at the Centre between 1989-94 as a Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India, Cabinet Secretariat.

Shri Das took over as the Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Karnataka on 30th July, 2005, a post which he held till 30th September, 2006.

He has attended many national and international training programmes and workshops including Programme on Investment Analysis and Management at Harvard Institute of International Development and Energy Management Programme at TERI.

He demitted office of chairperson, OERC on 23rd September 2011.

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Shri Shital Kumar Jena, formerly the Director (Tariff) of OERC and immediate past Engineer-in-Chief (Electricity)-cum-Principal Chief Electrical Inspector, Orissa, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Commissioner on 3rd December, 2003. Born on 13 April 1946, Shri Jena completed his B.Sc Engineering (Electrical) in 1967 and joined the Orissa State Service of Electrical Engineers and served under the Govt. of Orissa in Orissa State Electricity Board (OSEB) and OERC.

Between 1967-87 he was involved in the Generation, Transmission & Distribution aspects of the Power sector. From 1987 to 1995, Shri Jena worked on Commercial and Rural Electrification work in the OSEB. Then, as a Member, Metering Working Group and later as a Member, Legal & Regulating Working Group, Shri Jena was an active participant in the Power Sector Reform Project.

On 1st August 1996, Shri Jena joined the OERC as Dy. Director in charge of Engineering & Tariff setting the tone for preparation of various regulations, tariff guidelines and engineering standards and in September 1997, joined as Director (Tariff) and continued to work up to November, 2002. During this period, he also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Open University. As the first Director (Tariff) in India, with no precedent to fall back upon, he set the pricing policy for power generators, transmission and distribution companies, giving direction to the Power Sector in Orissa in a Techno-Commercial-Legal environment. Among other duties, he also served as the Chairman of the Commission’s Grievance Redressal Forum.

Between November 2002 and December 2003, Shri Jena served as the Engineer-in-Chief-cum- Principal Chief Electrical Inspector under the Department of Energy, Govt. of Orissa. He was in charge of planning & monitoring of Rural Electrification, and in overall charge of the Electrical Inspectorate, collection of Electrical Duty, survey, investigation of micro, mini & small Hydro-Electric Projects in the entire state. He also chaired the State Technical Committee with power to grant Techno-Economic Clearance for projects.

He brings his expertise as a Power Engineer with his solid field experience in the erstwhile OSEB along with his pioneering work in the OERC and hands-on knowledge of Power Sector Reform and training in Regulatory Economics & Economic Reform.

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Shri D.C.Sahoo, formerly of the Indian Audit & Accounts Service, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Chairman on 1st November, 2001 after taking voluntary retirement from Principal Accountant General, Kerala.

Born on 5th November, 1944 in the district of Balasore (now Bhadrak), he graduated from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack in 1965. After completing his Masters in Political Science from Utkal University in 1967, he joined the Indian Audit & Accounts Service in 1969.

During his illustrious career, he has served in different capacities in Indian Audit & Accounts Department. He attended Works Audit Workshop in Tokyo (Japan) in 1984 and was promoted as Accountant General in 1986.

He was the Member (Finance & Commercial) in Haryana State Electricity Board from 1989 to 1992 and served as Accountant General (Audit) West Bengal from April 1992 to October 1996.

He conducted audit of OPBAA Organisation of U.N.Headquarters at New York for a period of six weeks in 1997. In the same year in August, he was promoted as Principal Accountant General.

Apart from holding official positions in different capacities, he is a good bridge player and has participated in various tournament and has won a number of prizes.

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Shri Bijoy Chandra Jena, formerly Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd., joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Commissioner on 20th August, 2001. Born on 10th October 1942, Shri Jena got his education at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and obtained the Degree on Electrical Engineering from University College of Engineering, Burla in the year 1963.

He joined the Electricity Department of the Govt. of Orissa in 1963 where he served illustriously in various capacities. In December 1991, Shri Jena was posted and joined as General Manager at the Ib Thermal Power Station and was in charge of construction of 2 X 210 MW thermal units at Banarhapalli. The successful commissioning of the units in December '94 and June '96 saw the end of power cuts in Orissa. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Engneer and was placed in the Orissa Power Generation Corporation as Director (Project) and subsequently took over as Managing Director.

In 1995, Shri Jena was selected to the Indian Administrative Service.

He joined as Chairman-cum-managing Director of GRIDCO on 31.10.1997. He was responsible for reform and restructuring of power sector in Orissa in creation of GRIDCO and OHPC. In the 2nd phase, privatisation of distribution functions were achieved 21 months before schedule. All World Bank funded projects, OECF Projects and REC contracts were awarded. The erratic power supply in Bhubaneswar city was rectified through 54 km. of 33 KV line on NBLS towers with zebra conductor and a number of 33/11 KV sub stations in load centres. This was done in a record 18-24 month period under the BEINA scheme funded by DFID.

Shri Jena is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers India and has been decared as a Chartered Engineer.

He was awarded Order of Merit SAMAJSRI for excellence in management in the year 1996 by Indian Council of management Executives, Mumbai.

Shri Jena was also honoured by American Biographical Institute Inc. by inclusion in the Institute's Governing Body of Equitors for exemplary performance.

Shri Jena also conferred as a Professional Engineer (PE) by Institute of Engineers, India and was retired from Govt. service on 31st October, 2000 as CMD, GRIDCO on attaining the age of superannuation of 58 years.

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Mr. H Sahu, former Managing Director of the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as a Commissioner on 6 May 2000. An electrical engineer by education, Mr.Sahu brought with him an in-depth knowledge of the power industry in Orissa.

From 1963, when he entered the power industry in the Balimela Hydro Electrical Project, to 1999 when he retired as the Managing Director of the Orissa hydro Power Corporation, Mr.Sahu gained experience in a variety of areas including Construction power/Erection & Commissioning of Hydro power units, Survey Investigation of Electrical Projects including intra/inter state transmission lines, Renewable Energy development and in the Reform/Restructuring of the power sector.

His special areas of expertise were Hydro Electric Projects (Installation, Commission, maintenance & Operation) and New & Renewable Sources of Energy Development / Energy Conservation

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Mr. D.K. Roy, formerly of Indian Revenue Service, joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as a Commissioner on 1st August'96. Educated at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, Mr.Roy has done Masters in English and is also a Law graduate.

Mr.Roy has had a wide variety of assignments in the Income Tax Department with specialization in investigation. During his tenure as Commissioner of Income Tax for eight years and as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax for two years he handled appeals, investigation and tax policy formulation. Earlier on deputation to Ministry of Defence he dealt with strategic planning, financial planning and economic analysis. On a diplomatic assignment to Embassy of India, Moscow, for three years, Mr.Roy dealt with negotiation and economic counselling for agreements for licence production, transfer of technology and supply of defence equipments.

He made immense contribution in operationalising the first ever Electricity Regulatory Commission in India and in laying down policies and procedures of the said Commission.

Mr.Roy has undertaken study tour of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and also the Public utilities Commission of five states in USA. On invitation from Asian Development bank he participated as a speaker in a seminar at Geneva on Governance Dimensions of Regulatory Frameworks for Private Sector Infrastructure Development. He has published papers on regulation and has participated in a number of seminars on infrastructure regulation.

He was notified to act as Chairman with effect from 23.3.2000 after Mr.Mahalik's retirement.

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Educated at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and St. Stephen's College, Delhi, Mr. S. C. Mahalik was the Chairman of OERC from 16.6.97. After joining the Indian Postal Service in 1960, he has worked as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India from 1981-86; as Deputy Director General, Finance and Accounts, Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India from 1986-91; as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India from 1991-94; Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Department of Post, Govt. of India from 1994-96; and, retired from Government service in March, 1996. He was appointed as a consultant to United Nations Development Programme and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India on Reform of the Civil Services of the Central Government; and as the Chairman, Committee on Pay & Allowance of the Employees of Regional Rural Banks.

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Mr. Ashok Ranjan Mohanty graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Jadavpur University in the year 1960. Joined the Government of Orissa, Electricity Department and served in Machhkund Hydro-Electric project, Hirakud Dam Project in construction and maintenance of the power stations. Later on, as Executive Engineer, worked in investigation of Upper Kolab, Upper Indravati Hydro-Electric projects and associated EHT transmission lines. After that, worked as Superintending Engineer in Planning & Monitoring of major power projects in the Office of the Chief Engineer, Electricity and later worked as Chief Engineer, transmission project in the State Electricity Board and retired as Member, State Electricity Board in the year 1996. He joined the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission as Member on 1st July, 1996.