Bhubaneswar: Retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena has resigned from the post of Chairperson of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on personal grounds.
The Energy Department on Monday said that the resignation of Jena from the post of OERC Chairperson on personal grounds has been accepted.
According to an official notification, Jena is allowed to relinquish his post with effect from May 25, 2026 (afternoon). The order, signed by Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, confirmed that the resignation had been accepted by the Governor.
Official sources said said the process for appointing a new Chairperson will begin soon to ensure continuity in regulatory functions.
It may be recalled that Jena had been appointed Chairperson of the OERC in March, 2025.
Jena, a 1989-batch IAS officer, had served as secretary of the Energy department for a period of over six years from 2006 to 2014, during which he played a key role in developing and modernising the energy infrastructure in the state. He had also been chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, bringing reforms in temple management.
He had also served as the development commissioner and special relief commissioner (SRC) during the crucial period of Covid 19 pandemic before his appointment as the chief secretary. He was the collector of Cuttack during the 1999 Super Cyclone and had served with distinction.
Jena was appointed Chief Secretary of Odisha on February 26, 2023, and continued in the post till June 30, 2024, including a six-month extension in view of the general elections in April-May 2024.
