1. VK Pandian, former bureaucrat and private secretary to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, officially joins the ruling BJD.
2. His move to BJD follows voluntary retirement from Indian Civil Services and appointment as Chairman 5T.
3. Pandian’s political shift is seen as significant, adding a new dimension to his career in public service.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat who served as the private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, formally joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday, marking a significant move in his political journey. This transition comes shortly after Pandian took voluntary retirement from the Indian Civil Services in October and assumed the role of Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of Cabinet Minister.
Career and Recognition
Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, began his bureaucratic career in 2002 as the sub-collector of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district. During this time, he played a crucial role in farmers’ rights and streamlined paddy procurement. His efforts earned him recognition, and he received the National Award from the President of India for the rehabilitation of Public Works Departments (PWDs).
He later served as the collector of Mayurbhanj and Ganjam districts, where his work became exemplary in reducing the spread of Naxalism. Pandian received several accolades during this period, including the ‘Hellen Keller Award’ for working for the cause of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and the National Award for Working for Persons with AIDS.
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Close Association with Naveen Patnaik
Pandian’s career took a significant turn when he became the collector of Ganjam, where he formed a close association with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Since 2011, Pandian has served as the private secretary to the Chief Minister, playing a pivotal role in various initiatives and missions.
Key Initiatives and Controversies
During his tenure, Pandian actively participated in the implementation of several transformative initiatives, including ‘Mo Sarkar,’ which aimed to establish the dignity of the common citizen in government offices, and ‘5T,’ a governance charter emphasizing transparency, technology, teamwork, time-leading, and transformation. He also contributed to projects related to the renovation and restoration of ancient temples, high school transformation, hospital transformation, and the implementation of BSKY, focusing on health assurance for ordinary people.
However, Pandian’s role has not been without controversy. Opposition parties accused him of misusing his position for political gains, and he faced criticism for violating service condition rules, particularly during his extensive tours of several districts using state resources.
Legacy and Recent Contributions
Despite controversies, Pandian’s legacy includes his active involvement in Covid-related activities, where he toured the state to check the preparedness of hospitals and health professionals. His contributions to the people’s grievance redressal in a time-bound manner have also left a lasting impact.
Political Transition
The recent formal induction of VK Pandian into the BJD has sparked speculation about his future role in the party, especially in the context of the upcoming assembly elections. Observers are keenly watching how his political journey unfolds in the coming months.
