Bhubaneswar: IAS Sujata Karthikeyan, wife of BJD leader VK Pandian, has been granted a childcare leave for six months until Nov 2024.
As per the General Administration Department, Smt Sujata, Special Secretary to Finance Department, Govt. of Odisha has been granted leave for 6 months i;e 180 days from 31st May 2024 to 26th November 2024 to take care of her minor daughter appearing her 10th exam as per the Rule 18-D of AIS (Leave) Rules, 1955.
Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had ordered Smt Karthikeyan’s transfer from the Secretary post to the Mission Shakti Department of Odisha.
The Odisha government transferred and posted Smt Sujata as special secretary in the finance department following the order by the ECI.
Karthikeyan’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 Karthikeyan’s removal from her position, alleging her active involvement as a representative of the ruling BJD in the state.
