Sujata R Karthikeyan, the Special Secretary of Odisha Finance department and BJD leader VK Pandian's wife has taken six months' leave.
In an office order (dated June 5), the General Administration and Public Grievance Department informed about the development on Friday.
“In continuation to GA & PG Department office order No.13535/AlS.l dtd. 10.05.2024, Smt. Sujata R. Karthikeyan, IAS (RR-2000), special secretary to Government, Finance Department is granted Child Care Leave for a period of 6 months i.e. of 180 days w.e.f 31.05.2024 to 26.11.2024 to take care of her minor daughter appearing her 10th exam as per Rule 18-D of AlS (Leave) Rules, 1955,” stated the letter.
The letter also stated that the Child Care Leave shall not be debited against the leave account and during the period of Child Care Leave, she shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.
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Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the development as her husband VK Pandian, who resigned from his administrative service and joined BJD to manage the party’s election campaign, has gone incommunicado after BJD’s poll debacle.
“When a bureaucrat like her, whose guidance is required for the state, goes on leave to look after her grown-up child’s exam preparation, it is hard to believe,” said senior journalist Akshay Sahu.