Officer (PRO)-cum-Chairman State Election Authority for organizational election in Gujarat in 2010 Odisha Legislative Assembly He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly twice (In 1971 and 1973) from Sambalpur Assembly Constituency. He was made Cabinet Minister in 1973 by the then Chief Minister, Mrs. Nandini Satpathy at the age of 33 years. He was widely regarded to be the youngest Cabinet Minister in India at that point of time. He handled portfolios of Revenue, Irrigation & Power, Law, Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies and Commerce. Lok Sabha He was rated as an excellent Parliamentarian and was given the responsibility by the party to speak on important debates. Because of his active participation in the house proceedings, he was made the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals (1993 onwards) and also made member of various important committees. He has held several positions while being in the Parliament like: Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum & Chemicals (1993–1996) Member of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Executive Committee (1991–1997) Member of the high-profile JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) to probe the Securities Scam in 1992 Member of the JPC on broadcasting (1996) Member of Estimates Committee, Consultative Committee (Ministry of Coal) Chairman, Energy Ministry Probe Committee Chairman, INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress) Parliamentary Forum (1993–97) Trade union activities Member, INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress) National Working Committee President, Odisha Colliery Mazdoor Sangh (INTUC) Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) Sambalpur, Odisha. This union is among the largest trade unions in Odisha with a membership of over 10,000 employees (among the 5 largest trade unions in Odisha) Vice President of Indian National Mineworkers Federation Member Trust Board of Gandhi Labour Foundation Puri Member, National Safety Council Other activities and positions held Has been associated with several Educational, Social, Cultural and Spiritual Organizations. Also held the below responsibilities: President, New Life Education Trust for Promotion of Sri Aurobindo Integral Education in Odisha (A managing body of over 540 schools in Odisha) President, Sri. Aurobindo Karma Mandir, Sambalpur. National Vice President, All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO) National Vice President, Indian Society for Cultural Co-operation and Friendship (ISCUF) General Secretary, All India Yoga Conference Chairman, State Gandhiji's Satyagraha Celebration Committee Member of the Senate and Syndicate, Sambalpur University 1969–72. Editor, Oriya Daily ‘The Hirakhand’ (1982–84) Personal He was married to Sunanda Panigrahi (A retired Reader in English, Government of Odisha)