TV
Union Minister of Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, Bishweswar Tudu lambasted 5T Secretary VK Pandian over his alleged undemocratic visits to several districts in Odisha.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of Ekalavya Adarash Vidyalay at Khairiput in Malkangiri on Thursday,
Tudu targeted Pandian and went on to equate the present governance in Odisha with the erstwhile East India Company.
Hinting at Pandian’s domicile, Tudu said, “Odisha is now governed by South India Company, just like the East-India Company in the past. If the 5T denotes transparency, time-bound...and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik implemented it only after 23 years of his rule, it means the Odisha government did not have that before. The Chief Minister should clarify what is 5T and its purpose.”
“The way the 5T Secretary is taking chopper rides to several districts and acting like a politician, it is not healthy for a democracy. The people of Odisha have already understood BJD’s ploy and they will definitely reply in a suitable manner in the next elections,” he added.
Recently, based on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Aparajita Sarangi and BJP State President Manmohan Samal, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) urged the Odisha Chief Secretary to address Pandian’s alleged violations of The All India Services (Conduct) Rules.
The complaint was related to Pandian's whirlwind tour to different districts, including Keonjhar, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Rayagada, Balasore, and Kandhamal.
The complaint by Sarangi and Samal, lodged on June 24 with the DoPT, stated, “A Secretary is moving around the State using State plane/helicopter and attending public reception. He is announcing new projects and as per his own claims, all this on the instruction of the CM. This is done in clear violation of Rule 5(I) and Rule 12 (I) of AISC Rules.”
