Kalahandi: Former Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh and IAS officer Dhiman Chakma has been reinstated by the State Government and assigned a new official responsibility as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Following this new appointment, discussions about him have once again gained momentum in the local area.
Many people have expressed the view that, being an efficient and popular officer, he appears to have become entangled in a conspiracy of some sort. However, it is noteworthy that, to date, no court of law has found him guilty of any offence. According to legal experts, the Indian judicial system follows the principle that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Observers have pointed out that while IAS officer Vijay Ketan Upadhyay was reinstated within only six months in a similar matter, the reinstatement process in Chakma’s case took nearly one year. His return to service while the case remains pending before the court has brought happiness to many local residents.
A senior journalist, commenting on the management of the 2024 simultaneous elections, stated that Chakma performed his duties as Returning Officer in a highly impartial, efficient, and successful manner. He ensured excellent facilities and arrangements for both voters and election personnel. During that election, the Dharamgarh Assembly Constituency was the only constituency in the entire Kalahandi district where the opposition candidate of the time, won the legislative assembly seat, which many believe reflected his non-partisan style of administration.
Recalling Chakma’s tenure, local farmers stated that significant improvements were introduced in the Kisan Mandis during his period in office. Better facilities were provided for farmers, and he issued clear instructions to ensure the prompt lifting of procured paddy without delays or mismanagement during the procurement season.
He was also widely known for resolving public grievances and farmers’ complaints promptly and effectively. One major example cited was his key role in arranging irrigation facilities for approximately 4,800 hectares of agricultural land in the Dharamgarh Sub-Division during the last Rabi season (December,2024), following complaints and demands raised by local farmers’ organizations when Indravati irrigation officials had declared almost Zero coverage citing low reservoir levels due to less rainfall in the previous season.
Earlier, the management of the Kalahandi Utsav in Dharamgarh had often been marred by various irregularities. Chakma introduced major reforms to the entire system. Owing to his complete dedication, a grand and successful festival was organized after many years. The event was conducted transparently and, with the cooperation of the public, became a successful people’s festival.
Chakma was also consistently interested in the promotion of education. He regularly visited various schools and, in addition to institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Dharamgarh, conducted special educational sessions, yoga classes, and counseling programs aimed at the overall development of students.
Few Land and livelihood initiatives undertaken during his tenure are also remembered by residents. During the statewide exercise for allotment of homestead pattas, Dharamgarh Sub-Division identified one of the highest numbers of homesteadless families in Odisha, helping many needy households come within the ambit of government assistance.
As a conscientious administrator, his humble and courteous behavior toward ordinary citizens earned him widespread affection and respect. Now that he has returned to official duty in accordance with government rules, local residents have expressed hope that the public welfare services rendered by such a popular officer will continue to be remembered for a long time.
