VK Pandian’s chopper rides: Stern action to be taken after probe, says Odisha Transport Minister

Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Friday informed that an investigation into the expenditures on VK Pandian's whirlwind tours across Odisha using helicopters is underway and stern action will soon be taken if any violation of norms is found. 

There are rules as to who can use helicopters and appropriate action will definitely be taken if any violation is found, said Minister Jena.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has so far met thousands of people but no money has been spent. Whoever it may be, if any officer is found to have misused the government exchequer, the Mohan Majhi-government will definitely take action, he said.

"Now, the people of Odisha are asking this question about his (Pandian's) tours as they have seen how he was roaming around Odisha in chopper from February 2020 to December 2023. They (people) are unable to digest it. Our government is committed to zero corruption and we can't accept misuse of public money," added Jena.

Notably, when BJD was in power, BJD Leader and 5T Chairman VK Pandian toured around 27 districts in Odisha in helicopters. His love for chopper rides was evident when he flew even to Begunia and Nachuni in Khordha district despite the fact that the places are close to Bhubaneswar, barely 25 kilometres. 

Ahead of his visit to the district, a controversy erupted when Khordha stadium was dug up to construct a helipad. As the middle portion of the stadium ground was being dug up, the Khordha Cricket Association and other sports lovers took a stand against it. The construction work had to be stopped mid-way, and two helipads were constructed at Begunia and Nachuni. 

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, who was then a BJD MLA, had also taken a dig at Pandian for his chopper rides in his editorial. ‘Around Rs 300 crore is being spent towards his visits and chopper rides,” he had said. 

Suresh Routray, who was then the Congress' Jatani MLA, had also opposed the spending of so much money on his visits. “Be it Khordha or Begunia, it is really shameful that so much money is being spent on the 5T Secretary’s visit to places which are nearby. By all this, CM Naveen Patnaik will be at a loss,” he had said. 

BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP, Aparajita Sarangi had also targeted him for touring places in helicopters. “The Secretary rank officer will visit Begunia and nearby places in a helicopter as a helipad is being created. The jatra to bring grievances is really surprising as Rs 300 crores will be spent. It seems that it is a blow to the people of Odisha,” she had said.