Odisha's BJP govt moves to keep bureaucrats at arm's length in bid to change perception of ‘overpowering' influence

Indian Express

21-05-2025

In what sources described as an effort to counter the perception that bureaucrats wield undue power in ministries, the BJP government in Odisha has issued a circular barring secretaries of departments from being present at Cabinet meetings.
During the previous government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP had repeatedly alleged that the government was being run by bureaucrats. They had particularly targeted V K Pandian, who served as private secretary to then-CM Patnaik for over a decade, accusing him of wielding enormous power over ministers and MLAs in the BJD regime. The supposed influence wielded by the Tamil Nadu-born Pandian was a major election issue for the BJP in the 2024 polls.
A BJP leader said, 'There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime. The BJP government is going to complete one year in office next month, and such a perception is not good for it.'
According to sources, the government issued such a circular to also negate growing public perception about the role of ministers.
'There were instances in the past when ministers expressed their ignorance about subjects of their own departments. This is because… the secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality. The move is to change that perception,' a senior bureaucrat said.
According to the circular issued by the state parliamentary affairs department on May 9, during Cabinet meetings, only the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, ministers of state in charge of the department whose agenda is up for discussion, and the secretary to the Cabinet (Chief Secretary) are to sit inside the Cabinet room.
'Hence, secretaries of departments whose agenda are placed for discussions, may sit in a separate room specially designated for officers and may enter the Cabinet room as and when required by the Cabinet to assist the Cabinet with any issue,' the circular read.
The circular also said that secretaries will not take part in discussions during the Cabinet meeting, except when asked for their opinion. 'When a case is brought before the Cabinet, the presiding authority will call upon the minister-in-charge or the minister of state-in-charge to speak on the issue placed for approval of the Cabinet. Other ministers will speak subsequently,' it said.
The circular also lays down strict timelines for submission of Cabinet memorandums and related documents. It asked the secretaries to submit the Cabinet memorandums to the parliamentary affairs department at least three working days before a Cabinet meeting, unless the timeline is relaxed by the Chief Minister.
Ministers will be informed about the agenda to be taken up for discussion two days before the Cabinet meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said, 'Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.'
Pujari said the system has been spoiled in the past 24 years — the period of time that the BJD was in power in the state. He said the role of the political leadership in a democracy had been neglected in the past, and is now been upheld.
'In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored,' he said.
The BJD, however, called the move a gimmick. Senior BJD MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said the efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. 'It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people,' said Singh Deo.