V.K Pandian, a 2000 batch IAS officer who quit his job in October and joined the BJD (Biju Janata Dal) a month later, now enjoys the status of a cabinet minister holding the post of chairman 5T & Nabin Odisha. Mr. Pandian, who for better parts of his stint in Chief Minister’s Office remained shy as a silent and hardworking officer, indicated his arrival in public life. But the district tours were aimed at testing his acceptance level among people.
Addressing a public meeting at Badasantri in Angul district, the home turf of the Union minister, Pandian raised concern about the lack of development in the region despite Pradhan’s influential position in the central government. “Nearly 100 people die in accidents on the national highway connecting Angul, Sambalpur and Cuttack? Why has the repair of the national highway connecting Sambalpur, Angul, and Cuttack not been taken up?,” asked Pandian.
Sharpening his attack on Pradhan, who is considered the face of the BJP in the state, Pandian said: “It is Pradhan who always says he is pained to see the people of the area migrating in search of jobs. Despite being the minister of skill development, why did not he take the initiative to set up a single centre for the upgrade of skills in the region covering Angul, Deogarh and Sambalpur districts ?”
He stressed that skill upgrade training could provide employment opportunities and prevent migration. “The area is full of industries like MCL, NTPC and Nalco. If the people were trained, they would have got good jobs here…,” Pandian said.
Subhransu Satpathy, Odisha