Bhubaneswar: Odisha cadre IAS officer and Odisha Forest Development Corporation Ltd (OFDC) Chairman Dr Gagn Kumar Dhal’s application for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) has been accepted by the State Government.
The 1985-batch officer had applied for VRS – from the Indian Administrative Service by relaxing the mandatory notice period of three months as provided under Rule 16(2) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958 – with effect from November 30. He had applied for VRS on November 27 on personal grounds.
Notably, on August 6, Dhal had wanted to quit reportedly after his junior Asit Kumar Tripathy, a 1986 batch officer, was appointed as the Chief Secretary. Later, the State Government, in a press release, clarified that Dhal wants to quit because of ‘personal and family reasons’ and his application is under consideration.
He is due for retirement in December-end. The Government appointed him as the OFDC Chairman, elevating the post to the rank of Chief Secretary.
However, the General Administration and Public Grievances Department on November 30 issued a notification regarding the acceptance of the VRS of Dhal.
“Dr Gagan Kumar Dhal has applied for voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service with effect from 30.11.2019 vide his representation dated 27.11.2019 on personal grounds by relaxing the mandatory notice period of three months and provided under rule 16 (2) of AIS (OCRB) Rules, 1958,” noted the notification.
“Now, therefore, Dr Gagan Kumar Dhal at present Chairman, Odisha Forest Development Corporation Ltd, Bhubaneswar is allowed to retire voluntarily from the Indian Administrative Service with effect from 30.11.2019,” noted it further.
