The IAS officer began his new assignment in New Delhi on Friday. “I hope my past work experience in tribal areas would help me in discharging my duties in the new assignment,” Krishna told a local news channel from New Delhi after joining his new office.
Before joining as Malkangiri collector, the 2005 Orissa cadre IAS officer had served as sub-collector in another backward district of Kandhamal. The Orissa government had transferred Krishna from Malkangiri to Bhubaneswar a few days ago and had posted him in the tribal welfare department as its director. However, he refrained from taking up the charge leading to intense speculations in the local media that Ramesh was keen to take him (Krishna) as his private secretary.
Subsequently, the Centre asked the Orissa government if the IAS officer can be released for central deputation. The state accepted the Centre’s proposal which paved the way for Krishna’s appointment in Ramesh’s office in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Maoist leader Ganti Prasadam was released from prison on Friday after the state government withdrew cases against him as per an agreement reached between the rebels and the government for the release of former Malkangiri collector Krishna.