Authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that government funds were misused for the construction of helipads in Odisha. The probe will focus on whether the expenditures for these helipads, which facilitated extensive helicopter travel, were improperly authorized.
The investigation centers on the helicopter rides and related expenses of VK Pandian, a former IAS officer and close associate of ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pandian reportedly visited nearly 450 locations by helicopter between February and September of the previous year, leading to the construction of numerous helipads funded by the state.Authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that government funds were misused for the construction of helipads in Odisha. The probe will focus on whether the expenditures for these helipads, which facilitated extensive helicopter travel, were improperly authorized.
The investigation centers on the helicopter rides and related expenses of VK Pandian, a former IAS officer and close associate of ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pandian reportedly visited nearly 450 locations by helicopter between February and September of the previous year, leading to the construction of numerous helipads funded by the state.Authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that government funds were misused for the construction of helipads in Odisha. The probe will focus on whether the expenditures for these helipads, which facilitated extensive helicopter travel, were improperly authorized.
The investigation centers on the helicopter rides and related expenses of VK Pandian, a former IAS officer and close associate of ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pandian reportedly visited nearly 450 locations by helicopter between February and September of the previous year, leading to the construction of numerous helipads funded by the state.
Odisha’s Commerce and Transport Minister, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, recently called for a comprehensive review of Pandian’s helicopter travel. Minister Jena emphasized the need for clarity on who financed these rides and the process behind the helipad construction. He questioned whether the permissions for such extensive use of state resources were legitimate, noting that a department secretary typically does not hold authority for such decisions.
Harichandan, leading the investigation, assured that all aspects of the issue would be thoroughly examined and appropriate actions would be taken based on the findings. The Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan, a group of RTI activists, had previously demonstrated on July 24, accusing Pandian of misusing helicopters and chartered flights. Pandian, who retired from the IAS in October and joined the BJD, was notably active in the party’s election campaigns. The investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of government .