Born into a freedom fighter's family at Bargaon, Sambalpur district, Odisha in 1940, he has held various positions in the party as well in the government. He was thrice elected as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the Deogarh Parliamentary Constituency (1984, 1991 & 1996) and was also a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly for two terms (1971 & 1974). He was a Cabinet Minister in Odisha from 1973 to 1977 (widely believed to be the youngest Cabinet Minister in India at that time). He is regarded as an honest and straightforward politician. He is also known as 'Mr. Clean' in Odisha political circles for having a squeaky clean reputation. Good oratory skills, austere lifestyle and simple demeanour are seen as hallmarks of his personality. In his hometown, he is widely believed to be the person who was responsible for the establishment of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) at Sambalpur. He is also credited with getting the Railway Division for Sambalpur City.
He joined the party during his student days and rose quickly within its ranks, was made the District Congress Committee (DCC) President of Sambalpur District in 1967 while he was just 27 years old. This made him the youngest DCC president in the country. He has been in the party all through and has held several positions within the party. He was a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
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.
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)
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
