Centre Directs Action Against 5T Secretary VK Pandian Following Complaint by BJP Leaders

New Delhi: The Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary to take “appropriate action” against VK Pandian, the 5T Secretary, following a complaint filed by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal. Sarangi and Samal alleged that Pandian engaged in political activities, made political speeches, and announced projects during public gatherings, which is in violation of the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968.

 

In their letter to Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions of India, Sarangi and Samal enclosed photographs and videos as evidence of Pandian’s alleged misconduct. They claimed that Pandian used the state plane/helicopter to travel across the state, attended public receptions, and announced projects, all purportedly under the instructions of the Chief Minister, without any such instructions being available publicly.

The BJP leaders expressed concern over the involvement of a secretary-level bureaucrat in political events resembling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party meetings, organized by prominent BJD members. They further criticized Pandian for receiving public receptions where people showered flowers and announcing projects worth crores, describing such actions as unprecedented in any other part of India. Sarangi and Samal requested an immediate inquiry and appropriate action from the department.