Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress campaign committee chairman Bijay Patnaik has written to Centre, demanding appropriate measures over alleged ‘violation’ of AIS Conduct Rules by 5T Secretary VK Pandian.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, Patnaik stated the name of VK Pandian appears on hoardings bearing the symbol of Biju Janata Dal (BJD). He also enclosed photograph of such hoarding found at Hatibadi Road, Ram Nagar, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district.
“The hoarding proclaims that a sum of Rs 20 lakh been sanctioned for a church during august visit of 5T Secretary VK Pandian. This is a clear violation of Rule 5 of the AIS Conduct Rules,” he wrote.
The former chief secretary, who joined the Congress in February this year, further said that the 5T secretary makes public announcements of grants to different institutions during his tours, thereby flouting governmental norms regarding expenditure from the consolidated fund. “Any secretary to the government who is a party to such announcements without following rules of expenditure sanction is liable for disciplinary action,” he said in the letter.
Patnaik also mentioned about social media posting “of his pompous visits to the different districts which have distinct political overtones” and said that these are designed to project him as a politician which is not permitted under the Conduct Rules.
“He goes to public meetings and claims that he has been deputed by the Chief Minister to represent the latter in making announcements of grants. No serving officer is permitted under the Conduct Rules to represent a political functionary in a public meeting,” he wrote.
The Congress leader further stated that these allegations are serious in nature and set a bad precedent for officers of All India Services in the entire country. “Since the officer is presently working as the Private Secretary to the Chief Minister of Odisha, it is futile to expect the Chief Minister to take action against the concerned officer for such violation of the Rules,” he said, while requesting the Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India to institute an enquiry against Pandian and take appropriate measures at the earliest.
