The Odisha government has initiated an investigation into the alleged excessive use of government helicopters by V K Pandian, a close aide to former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during the tenure of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) regime.

Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena confirmed that the state administration is scrutinizing reports of Pandian’s “indiscriminate” use of government helicopters. Pandian, a 2000-batch retired IAS officer and former private secretary to Patnaik, has been accused of using the helicopters extensively to conduct grievance redressal sessions at the doorsteps of citizens.

The probe comes in the wake of Pandian’s recent retirement from active politics following the BJD’s loss in the recent Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The investigation aims to determine whether the use of state resources was in line with official protocols and whether there were any instances of misuse.

The scrutiny of Pandian’s helicopter use has sparked political debate, with opposition parties questioning the propriety of such expenditures during his tenure. The state government’s investigation is expected to provide clarity on the extent and nature of helicopter usage and ensure accountability in the use of public resources.

The outcome of the probe will likely influence future regulations on the use of government assets and set precedents for similar cases.