Bhubaneswar/Puri: The new Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja today visited Srimandir in Puri and sought the Blessings from the presiding deities, after assuming his office earlier in the day.

According to an official source, the Chief Secretary had Darshan of the Pati Dian in the evening. After reaching the 12th Century Vaishnavite shrine, he was welcomed by Puri district Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, and servitors of the temple.

“I am immensely happy after having Darshan of Pati Dian,” the Chief Secretary said mediapersons.

When asked about smooth conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra, Ahuja said, “I have just assumed charge. I have convened a meeting which is to be held tomorrow to review the arrangements.”

Worth mentioning, Manoj Ahuja, a 1990-Batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre, took charge today as the Chief Secretary from outgoing Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena at Lok Seva Bhavan here.

The new Chief Secretary arrived in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day. He would be the first chief secretary of the new BJP government in Odisha led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.