Bhubaneshwar: Orissa Attorney general Prithviraj Harichandan On Monday he announced that an investigation will be launched into the construction of approximately 450 helipads used by Japanese doll leader VK PandianAssistant to former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaikduring his tenure as Secretary of the 5T. The investigation will focus on whether government funds were improperly used for these helipads.
“A probe will be held to inquire into VK Pandian’s helicopter travel and related expenses… Wherever he visited, the then government ordered construction of helipads using government funds and he had visited nearly 450 places using helicopters. The allegations of use of government funds to construct the helipads will be investigated…” Harichandan told news agency ANI.
The move comes days after Odisha Commerce and Shipping Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena called for a thorough probe into Pandian’s helicopter trips. Harichandan stressed that there is a need to clarify who funded these trips and the clearance process for the construction of the helipads, which were allegedly built to facilitate Pandian’s extensive travel across the state.
Pandian, a close aide of former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, used helicopters between February and September last year to interact with the public and gather feedback. Harichandan questioned the legitimacy of the permissions granted, pointing out that a department secretary normally does not have the authority to use state resources for such purposes.
Harichandan said the investigation will address all aspects of the matter and appropriate action will be taken based on its findings.
The RTI activist group Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan had earlier held a demonstration on July 24, accusing Pandian of misusing helicopters and chartered flights. Pandian, who retired from the IAS in October and later joined the BJD, was actively involved in the party’s election campaigns.
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