Why Odisha’s BJP govt has barred bureaucrats, barring one, from Cabinet meetings

By Admin

22 May, 2025

In a move signaling a significant shift in governance dynamics, the BJP-led Odisha government has issued a circular barring departmental secretaries from Cabinet meetings — a departure from the long-standing tradition practiced during the previous BJD regime. This step, while procedural on the surface, is deeply symbolic of the new government’s intent to reassert political authority over bureaucratic influence.

What the Circular Says

Issued by the Parliamentary Affairs Department on May 9, the circular clearly outlines who is permitted inside the Cabinet room during meetings:

• The Chief Minister
  
  

• Cabinet Ministers
  
  

• Ministers of State of the departments whose agendas are up for discussion
  
  

• The Chief Secretary (who also serves as the secretary to the Cabinet)
  
  

All other bureaucrats, including departmental secretaries, have been asked to remain in a separate room specifically designated for officers. They may only enter the Cabinet room if called upon for clarifications or expert input. Notably, they are barred from taking part in any discussions unless their opinion is specifically sought.

The circular also introduces strict timelines for the submission of Cabinet memorandums — at least three working days in advance — and mandates that ministers be informed of the agenda two days prior to the meeting.

BJP’s Stand: Rebalancing Power

According to BJP leaders, the decision is an effort to correct the perceived imbalance in governance witnessed under the previous BJD government. “There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime,” said one BJP leader. “With the BJP government completing one year in office next month, such a perception is not good for it.”

The BJP had long criticized the BJD for allegedly allowing bureaucrats to overshadow elected representatives. Their primary target was V. K. Pandian, the powerful private secretary to former CM Naveen Patnaik, who was accused of exercising disproportionate influence over both ministers and MLAs. The BJP heavily leveraged this narrative during its 2024 election campaign, turning bureaucratic dominance into a key issue.

The Shift: Ministers to Lead, Not Follow

Sources within the government revealed that the move also addresses public concern about the role and effectiveness of ministers. In previous years, there were multiple instances where ministers appeared unaware of the contents or implications of their own department's Cabinet proposals. “The secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality,” said a senior bureaucrat. “This move is aimed at changing that perception.”

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari echoed these sentiments publicly, stating:

“Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.”

He further emphasized that over the past 24 years of BJD rule, the democratic roles of elected representatives had been overshadowed. “In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored.”

BJD’s Response: A Gimmick?

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), now in the opposition, has dismissed the move as political posturing rather than genuine reform. Senior MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo criticized the circular, saying:

“The efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people.”

A Structural Reset or Symbolic Gesture?

While the BJP government maintains that this is simply a return to the rightful norms of parliamentary democracy, the timing and messaging suggest a broader political objective: dismantling the legacy of bureaucratic dominance and reaffirming the supremacy of elected leadership.

Only time will tell whether this reset leads to more effective governance or becomes just another chapter in the political playbook. What is clear, however, is that Odisha's power dynamics are shifting — and the Cabinet room is ground zero.