BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Thursday appointed new heads of the vigilance directorate and state crime branch by effecting a major reshuffle in the senior IPS cadre in Odisha.
1994-batch IPS officer Yeshwant Jethwa, who is now ADG law and order and crime branch (in-charge), has been given a new posting as director of the state vigilance wing.
The vigilance director’s post fell vacant following the death of senior IPS officer Debasis Panigrahi on June 18.
Panigrahi, who was an ADG-ranked officer, lost his battle against Covid-19.
Sanjeeb Panda, who is a 1994-batch IPS officer and currently serving as the state transport commissioner, has been made the new ADG of the state Crime Branch, a home department notification said.
1996-batch IPS officer Arun Bothra, who is at present the chairman-cum-managing director of Odisha state road transport corporation (OSRTC) and chief executive officer of capital region urban transport (CRUT), will replace Panda as the new transport commissioner, the notification read.
Former police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi, 1990-batch IPS officer, who is the chairman-cum-managing director of the Odisha state police housing and welfare corporation (OSPHWC), has been posted as the officer on special duty (OSD) of state home department, which is considered as a highly inconsequential post for this ADG-ranked officer.
Panda, who has been made the crime branch chief, would remain in additional charge of the OSPHWC.
The government has transferred and posted Lalit Das, a 1992-batch police officer, as director intelligence.
Das, who is currently the ADG, headquarters, would replace R K Sharma, who has been given a new posting as ADG, law and order.
Asheet Kumar Panigrahi, who is currently the inspector general of home guards and fire services, has been appointed as new IG, vigilance.