August 13th 2024.
The BJP, who are currently in power in Odisha, have initiated an investigation into the alleged excessive use of government helicopters by Naveen Patnaik's close aide, VK Pandian, during the previous BJD regime. This news was confirmed by a minister who stated that Pandian, a retired IAS officer and former private secretary to Patnaik, had recently retired from active politics after BJD's defeat in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. The accusations against Pandian were that he had been using government helicopters without restraint to conduct grievance redressal hearings in various locations across the state.
Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the Minister of Commerce and Transport, stated that the state government was currently looking into the extensive use of helicopters by Pandian. He also added that if any misuse of state funds is found, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible. According to Jena, the public has raised concerns about Pandian's frequent use of choppers between February 2020 and December 2023, where he had visited 190 places in all 30 districts of Odisha for grievance redressal hearings.
The previous BJD government had boasted that during these hearings, Pandian had collected over 57,000 petitions and successfully resolved over 43,000 issues. However, they did not disclose the amount of money spent on the chopper travels. Prithiviraj Harichandan, the Minister of Law, Excise, and Works, revealed that during this period, 450 helipads were constructed across the state to facilitate Pandian's travels. He estimated that each helipad cost around Rs 3 lakh and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine who authorized their construction and how the expenses were met. Harichandan also added that strict action would be taken against those involved in any illegal construction.
In response to the allegations, BJD leader Sambit Routray defended Pandian's use of helicopters, stating that he was touring various places in the state to hold public hearings on behalf of the Chief Minister. He also accused the BJP of creating unnecessary noise over a non-issue since coming into power in the state. Even Congress leader and former chief secretary, Bijay Patnaik, has called for a thorough probe into Pandian's use of helicopters. The news was originally reported by PTI.
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