Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has given Odisha-cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Chopra the additional charge of Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The position fell vacant after Manoj Ahuja was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Odisha. Ahuja is also an Odisha-cadre IAS officer.

Chopra, a 1990 batch IAS officer, is currently serving as the Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.

Chopra started his career as Sub Collector in Baripada. He served as District Collector in Koraput from 1995 to 1997. He served as Director/ Deputy Secretary in the Technical Education & Training Department during 1999-2000.

He handled the State Co-Operative Banks during 2000-2004 in the capacity of Managing Director. From 2007-2014, he served in LBSNAA, Mussoorie as Senior Deputy Director/ Joint Director. From 2015 up to October 2022, he served under the Government of Odisha as Chairman, Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation Ltd., Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation and Odisha Mining Corporation.

He has also served as Secretary to Government in departments such as Industries, General Administration, Agriculture and Home.