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".
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.