V K Pandian, the former aide to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, has been appointed Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of a cabinet minister, an official notification said on Tuesday. The development comes less than 24 hours after Pandian took voluntary retirement from government service.
The Centre has approved the voluntary retirement of IAS officer VK Pandian, who is considered the right-hand man of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. This has led to speculation that Pandian may join politics. He has been with Patnaik since 2011 and is seen as a key figure in both the Odisha government and the ruling party Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
India News: The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, has urged his state to take the lead in developing the roadmap for millets both nationally and internati