After voluntary retirement yesterday, VK Pandian has got a new appointment. Pandian has been appointed as the chairman. VK Pandian will be the chairman of ‘5-T’ and ‘Naveen Odisha’. He has been given the title of Cabinet Minister. It is reported that he will work under the Chief Minister. The state government has given the new charge to VK Pandian after his retirement application was approved by the central government yesterday. For this, a directive has been issued by the Public Administration and Public Grievances Department.
It is to be noted that Mr. Pandian underwent training from September 7, 2000 to July 1, 2002 after passing the IAS examination. After completing his IAS training, he was first posted to sub-collector in Dharmagarh, Kalahandi. He worked in Kalahandi from August 1, 2002 to February 29, 2004. From March 1 to June 30, 2004, he was the Deputy Chief Election Officer in Odisha Election Division. After that he served as Additional District Magistrate of Rourkela from July 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005.
Similarly, Mr. Pandian was appointed as Mayurbhanj District Magistrate from May 1, 2005 to April 8, 2007. Later he worked as Ganjam District Magistrate till January 1, 2009. At this time, after coming in contact with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he was appointed as the Chief Minister’s Private Secretary in May 2011. During his tenure, his powers gradually increased and his scope of work expanded. Then in 2019, he was appointed as 5T secretary by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Then he became even more powerful. Also, he was considered as the most influential person in the state.
As a representative of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he visited every district of the state and personally went to the people to solve their problems. He was criticized by the opposition. He used to speak in every meeting saying that the Chief Minister had sent him to understand the people’s happiness and sorrow. However, his 23-year career as an efficient administrative officer has come to an end yesterday.
On the other hand, now state politics is up and down with Pandian’s VRS. The reaction is seen among the leaders of the three major parties. Especially the opposition BJP and Congress are reacting strongly. Congress leader Vijay Patnaik has criticized Pandian’s VRS. He said a tainted chapter with Pandian’s VRS came to an end. With that, many senior IAS officers became silent,” Vijay said. “There was no answer to the questions we asked, so the VRS was taken up.” Now only the time will tell what his impact will be? It remains to be seen how the bureaucrats will accept it,” Congress leader Vijay Patnaik said.