After EC Order, Pandian's Wife Transferred to Finance Department

Kartikeyam, wife of BJD leader V K Pandian, was earlier holding the post of commissioner-cum-secretary in the department of Mission Shakti, with additional charge of Odia language, literature and culture OLLC department.According to a notification by the general administration department, health and family welfare department secretary Shalini Pandit has been given additional charge of Mission Shakti department OLLC department.Kartikeyans transfer was prompted by allegations of misuse of public office, leading the EC to relocate her to a non-public dealing department.

Odisha government on Friday transferred and posted senior bureaucrat Sujata R Kartikeyan as special secretary in the finance department following an order by the Election Commission. Kartikeyam, wife of BJD leader V K Pandian, was earlier holding the post of commissioner-cum-secretary in the department of Mission Shakti, with additional charge of Odia language, literature and culture (OLL&C) department.

According to a notification by the general administration department, health and family welfare department secretary Shalini Pandit has been given additional charge of Mission Shakti department & OLL&C department.

Kartikeyan's transfer was prompted by allegations of misuse of public office, leading the EC to relocate her to a non-public dealing department. The BJP had previously approached the poll panel, urging Kartikeyan's removal from her position, alleging her active involvement as a representative of the ruling BJD in the state.