A secretary-level meeting was held at Kharavela Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, marking her second such session since taking office. Secretaries from all departments reviewed progress on development projects, budget utilisation, and filling of vacant government posts.

Focus on Vacant Positions and Appointments
The meeting emphasised addressing the numerous vacancies across departments, with the Chief Secretary directing that appointments follow state government guidelines to ensure key positions are not left unfilled. The Department of Home Affairs had circulated a priority list of posts to be filled urgently.

Budget Implementation and Employment Initiatives
Officials assessed departmental budget utilisation, identifying areas needing additional focus to achieve objectives efficiently. The government is targeting the creation of around 1.5 lakh jobs over the next two years, with initiatives already underway, including 13 recent Nijukti Melas and distribution of appointment letters to successful candidates.

The session aimed to streamline appointments and accelerate developmental projects, reinforcing governance efficiency while supporting employment generation goals.