Former Minister of Higher Education and Industries and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader from Balasore district, Ananta Das, passed away at his residence in Bhubaneswar. He was 85 years old and had been suffering from age-related ailments for a long time.

Early Life and Education

Born on August 28, 1940, in Kuruthia village under Balim Panchayat of Bhogarai block, Ananta Das had a strong academic background. He completed his post-graduation in Arts and also earned a law degree. His passion for public service led him to join the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS), where he held several key positions before transitioning into politics.

Career in Administrative Services

Before entering politics, Ananta Das had an illustrious career in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS). Over the years, he served in various capacities, including:

• Executive Officer of Balasore Municipality
• Deputy Secretary of State Election Commission
• Deputy Secretary of Revenue and Panchayati Raj Departments
• Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Bhadrak

His vast administrative experience gave him deep insights into the functioning of government, which later helped him in his political career.

Transition to Politics and Legislative Career

After retiring from government service, Das established the Bhogarai Vikas Parishad, an organization dedicated to the development of Bhogarai and nearby regions. His passion for regional development led him to join active politics, and he became a member of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Ananta Das contested the 2004 Odisha Legislative Assembly elections from the Bhogarai constituency on a BJD ticket and won. He continued his winning streak, securing victories in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 elections, successfully serving as a four-time MLA.

During his tenure, he worked extensively on infrastructure development, education, and social welfare projects, significantly improving the living conditions in his constituency.

Ministerial and Legislative Roles

Ananta Das played a crucial role in the Naveen Patnaik-led government. Some of the prominent positions he held include:

• Chief Whip of BJD in Odisha Assembly (2014-2017) – In this role, he was responsible for managing legislative proceedings and ensuring party discipline.
• Minister for Higher Education and Industries (2017-2019) – His tenure saw several reforms in the education sector and industrial policies in Odisha.

As a minister, Das was instrumental in formulating policies to promote higher education, skill development, and industrial growth in Odisha. He was deeply committed to empowering youth through education and employment opportunities.

Summary of Ananta Das’

Category	Details
Why in News?	Former Minister and senior BJD leader Ananta Das passed away at 85 in Bhubaneswar.
Date & Time of Death	Sunday, around 4 AM
Cause of Death	Age-related ailments
Birth Details	Born on August 28, 1940, in Kuruthia village, Bhogarai block, Balasore district
Educational Background	Postgraduate in Arts and Law degree
Administrative Career	Served in Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) as Executive Officer of Balasore Municipality, Deputy Secretary of State Election Commission, Deputy Secretary of Revenue & Panchayati Raj, and Additional District Magistrate of Bhadrak
Political Career	Elected four times (2004, 2009, 2014, 2019) as Bhogarai MLA on BJD ticket
Ministerial Positions	Higher Education & Industries Minister (2017-2019), BJD Chief Whip (2014-2017)
Key Contributions	Education reforms, industrial growth, rural development in Odisha
Reactions & Tributes	Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, and other leaders paid tribute to his contributions in governance and politics.
Legacy	Remembered as a dedicated leader, administrator, and public servant who contributed significantly to Odisha’s development.