Bhubaneswar: Ten IAS Officer Trainees of the 2024 batch, allotted to the Odisha cadre, visited the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday as part of their ongoing orientation programme. The visit was aimed at familiarizing the young officers with the inner workings of one of the state’s key departments at the forefront of urban transformation.
The delegation was welcomed by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, who led an interactive session alongside Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Special Secretary Debasis Singh, and other senior officials. The engagement was designed to offer the trainees a deeper understanding of urban policy execution and citizen-focused governance.
Speaking to the officers, Padhee remarked, “The urban sector in Odisha is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by innovation, inclusivity, and citizen-centric governance. This is an exciting time to be in public service, and I hope today’s interaction encourages you to think innovatively and work collaboratively to address urban challenges.”
The department highlighted its key initiatives under the vision of Viksit Odisha@2036, with a strong emphasis on the adoption of digital platforms for streamlined service delivery. Discussions also touched upon sustainable urban planning, community involvement, and the need for adaptive, forward-looking policies.
The officer trainees were given an opportunity to interact directly with officials leading major departmental verticals, allowing them to gain valuable insights into practical policy implementation and the mechanics of urban management.