Finance
The Odisha government has nominated former 5T Secretary VK Pandian, who retired voluntarily, as Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha as Cabinet Minister.
Pandian will report directly to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, according to a notification approved by the Governor.
It is worth noting that Pandian’s request for voluntary retirement was granted by the Center on Monday.
Pandian, who has been in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) since 2011, is regarded as Naveen Patnaik’s close confidante.
He is from Tamil Nadu and was recently chastised by the opposition for directly addressing people’s problems during meetings on behalf of the Chief Minister. Opposition parties have accused him of engaging in the political activities of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
