August 2, 2025

The Odisha government has taken a significant step to curtail the use of external consultants across its departments in a bid to enhance the efficiency and utilization of in-house resources. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja announced this decision through a memorandum issued on Thursday. He outlined that every state department is required to evaluate its needs and propose the necessary number of consultants to the Finance Department by April of next year. This new directive aims to address the excessive dependency on outside consultants, which has been perceived as giving rise to favoritism and financial misconduct since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in the state. Historically, various state departments engaged external consultants for important policy reforms and project management to bring in necessary expertise and support. The objective was to create a collaborative ecosystem intended to bolster the efficiency and institutional knowledge of government employees. However, this practice has faced increased scrutiny due to allegations of irregularities and mismanagement. Critics argue that the appointments of these consultants often favored influential individuals rather than genuinely addressing the needs of the departments. In recent times, there have been rising concerns regarding the impact of these external engagements on the in-house capabilities of government employees. Chief Secretary Ahuja pointed out that some departments had become overly reliant on consultants, leading to a staggering underutilization of their employees’ skills and abilities. This growing dependency was seen as detrimental to the state's administrative efficiency, prompting the government to reevaluate its approach. To ensure more stringent oversight, the matter of determining the appropriate number of consultants for each department will be addressed by a high-power committee. The recommendations made by this committee will govern the consultant engagements starting from April 1, 2026. Furthermore, the memorandum emphasized that no compensation will be dispensed to any consultant without prior authorization from this committee. This added layer of accountability aims to mitigate instances where consultants are not held responsible for mismanagement or governance failures. The declining faith in the use of external consultants reflects a broader concern among senior BJP leaders about accountability in governance. They argue that consultants hired temporarily often escape responsibility for operational failures, which could ultimately hinder the efficacy of government programs. Additionally, there have been allegations of financial mismanagement linked to the use of external consultants in specific projects, notably regarding spending issues related to the District Mineral Foundation. Such claims have sparked a growing call for transparency and responsible management of government resources. The decision to reassess the use of external consultants aligns with an overarching goal of improving operational integrity and fostering a culture of self-reliance within government departments. It reflects the government’s recognition of the need to tap into the full potential of in-house employees while also addressing existing accountability gaps. By limiting the engagement of consultants, the Odisha government hopes to streamline operations and reduce the perceived risks associated with favoritism and financial misconduct that have plagued previous practices. As this directive takes shape, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on the efficiency of government operations and the effectiveness of local talent. The move could potentially lead to a shift in how government departments function, fostering a stronger reliance on their employees and ensuring that taxpayer money is used judiciously moving forward.

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Tags: Odisha government, Consultants, Bjp, Policy reforms, Financial irregularities,