Shri Srinibas Rath, IAS (Retd.)

Founder Member & Acting Chairman, Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI)
Acting Chairman: 20 July 2015 – 19 February 2019

Shri Srinibas Rath, IAS (Retd.) is a distinguished former Indian Administrative Service officer and an eminent development administrator who served as Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Odisha. Throughout his illustrious administrative career, he earned widespread respect for his integrity, visionary leadership, and commitment to participatory governance, rural development, and institution building. His extensive experience in public administration, combined with his deep understanding of grassroots development, made him a strong advocate of constructive partnerships between government and civil society. Even after his retirement from the IAS, he remained actively engaged in strengthening voluntary action and mentoring development institutions across the country.

As a Founder Member of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), Shri Srinibas Rath played an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s institutional philosophy and governance framework. His administrative wisdom and commitment to public service helped establish CNRI as a credible national platform representing voluntary organizations dedicated to rural transformation, community empowerment, and sustainable development.

Following the demise of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mohan Dharia, the Founder Chairman of CNRI, the organization entered a crucial period of transition. Recognizing his experience, stature, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s ideals, the Governing Body entrusted Shri Srinibas Rath with the responsibility of Acting Chairman of CNRI, a position he held from 20 July 2015 to 19 February 2019. During this significant period, he provided stable and visionary leadership, ensuring continuity in governance while preserving the founding vision and values of CNRI.

As Acting Chairman, Shri Rath successfully guided the organization through one of the most important phases in its history. He strengthened the national organizational structure, enhanced coordination among state chapters, promoted transparency and institutional accountability, and expanded collaboration with government agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations. His emphasis on ethical leadership, participatory governance, and evidence-based rural development reinforced CNRI’s standing as one of India’s foremost apex organizations of voluntary institutions.

Shri Rath consistently advocated that sustainable national development requires active participation of civil society alongside responsive governance. Under his stewardship, CNRI continued to promote rural livelihoods, community participation, capacity building of grassroots organizations, and inclusive development, while maintaining its non-partisan and service-oriented character.

Beyond his leadership at CNRI, Shri Srinibas Rath has remained a respected mentor to administrators, development professionals, and voluntary organizations. His ability to bridge the administrative system with grassroots institutions has earned him lasting admiration across the development sector.

Within CNRI, Shri Srinibas Rath is remembered as one of its principal institution-builders and a leader who safeguarded the organization during a defining period. His calm leadership, administrative excellence, and lifelong dedication to public service continue to inspire CNRI’s mission of empowering civil society and advancing inclusive rural development across India.