Odisha Govt Refuses To Extend VK Pandian's IAS Wife's Childcare Leave, Asks Her To Join Back Today

Pandian served as the private secretary to Naveen Patnaik in the chief minister’s office since 2011 and was widely considered as one of the most powerful officers in the state.

took voluntary retirement in October last year to join the BJD on November 27.

Source : PTI

The BJP government in Odisha has rejected a request from ex-BJD leader VK Pandian's IAS wife seeking an extension of her childcare leave. IAS Sujata R Kartikeyan had sought to extend her leave for an additional six months. The 2000-batch IAS officer was on leave since May 31.

She was asked to report to office on Wednesday. Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Mohanty informed Kartikeyan that "after careful consideration, your leave application for extension of child care leave for a further period of 6 months from November 27 is not acceded to".

Odisha Government has rejected IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan's application for an extension of leave. Sujata Karthikeyan, the wife of VK Pandian, has been instructed to join duty from tomorrow, 27th November pic.twitter.com/daRTaoG4oC

— IANS (@ians_india) November 26, 2024

The Election Commission of India ordered her transfer from the commissioner-cum-secretary, department of Mission Shakti, to a non-public dealing department following a complaint by the BJP that alleged that she forced women self-help groups to influence voters in favour of the BJD in Lok Sabha elections.

Pandian served as the private secretary to Naveen Patnaik in the chief minister’s office since 2011 and was widely considered as one of the most powerful officers in the state. He took voluntary retirement in October last year to join the BJD on November 27.