Bhubaneswar( KCN):
Soon after assuming charge as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home Department, senior IAS officer Shri Hemant Sharma (1995 batch) moved swiftly to strengthen Odisha’s internal security framework by convening a high-level meeting with senior officers to chart a decisive roadmap for law and order in the state.
Shri Sharma, who also holds charge as ACS, Industries and Information & Public Relations, underscored the urgent implementation of the 15-point governance agenda laid down by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the Home portfolio and has reposed strong confidence in him. The Chief Minister’s directive is aimed at building an accountable, people-centric, and crime-free administrative ecosystem.
Calling public safety a top priority, ACS Sharma stressed the need for proactive, intelligence-led policing and a zero-tolerance approach towards crime and extremist activities. He identified the effective execution of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah’s anti-Maoist strategy as a foremost priority, aligning Odisha with the national goal of making India Maoist-free by March 31, 2026.
Emphasizing that the elimination of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is both a security necessity and a moral imperative, Shri Sharma directed senior officials to ensure that constitutional rights, governance, and development reach the remotest tribal and interior regions of the state.
Administrative observers view Shri Sharma’s transition to the Home Department as a strategic blend of development-oriented leadership and regulatory precision. During deliberations, he highlighted that internal security is intrinsically linked to economic growth and investor confidence, advocating seamless coordination between law enforcement agencies and civil administration.
Shri Sharma’s proven track record as ACS Industries, where Odisha emerged as the national leader in Deregulation 1.0, has further strengthened expectations. His role in simplifying regulatory processes and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks received appreciation from Union Cabinet Secretary Dr. T. V. Somanathan, sources said.
Industrial leaders have welcomed his emphasis on robust safety and security mechanisms in industrial corridors, noting that integrated industrial security is critical for sustaining economic momentum. A senior CPSU chief described Shri Sharma as a “highly dynamic and result-oriented administrator capable of delivering time-bound outcomes.”
A former Chief Secretary, who earlier headed the Home Department for an extended period, termed Shri Sharma a “hardcore development-oriented mandarin,” expressing confidence that his multidimensional experience in industry, infrastructure, energy, and public relations will usher in a more holistic and forward-looking security framework for Odisha.
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