5T Secy VK Pandian blatantly violated AIS conduct rules: Odisha Congress writes to Centre for appropriate action

Continuing its attack on the Odisha government, the state unit of Congress on Tuesday moved the Centre alleging blatant violation of All India Service (AIS) Conduct Rules by 5T Secretary VK Pandian, a serving officer in the state. In a letter to the Department of Personnel and Training, senior Congress leader Bijay Patnaik has sought an inquiry against the officer and appropriate measures.

Patnaik in his letter claimed that the name of VK Pandian appears in hoardings bearing the symbol of BJD at Hatibadi Road, Ram Nagar, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district. The hoarding proclaims that Rs 20 lakh has been sanctioned for a Church during visit of 5T Secretary VK Pandian which is a clear violation of Rule 5 of AIS Conduct Rules.

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“He (5T Secretary) goes around the state and makes public announcement of grants to different institutions thereby flouting governmental norms regarding expenditure from the consolidated fund. Any secretary to the government who is a party to such announcement without following rules of expenditure sanction is liable for disciplinary action,” Patnaik stated in the letter.

Patnaik further alleged that (5T secretary) goes to public meetings and claims that he has been deputed by the Chief Minister to represent the latter in making announcement of grants. No serving officer is permitted under the Conduct Rules to represent a political functionary in public meeting.

“Since the alleged officer is presently working as the private secretary to the Chief Minister of Odisha, it is futile to expect the Chief Minister to take action against the concerned officer for such violation of the Rules,” Patnaik’s letter added.

Earlier, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi had also brought similar allegations of violation of the conduct rules by the secretary-level officer.