Senior IAS officer Sujata R Karthikeyan (IAS:2000:OR), wife of former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s trusted aide and bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian (IAS:2000:OR), has taken voluntary retirement from service (VRS). Her VRS was approved a day after the Odisha government forwarded her application, which she had submitted on March 13.
The central government accepted her VRS with retrospective effect from March 13, waiving the mandatory three-month notice period. Sujata was serving as the Special Secretary in the Finance Department at the time of her retirement.
Following the formation of the BJP government in June last year, Sujata went on a six-month leave citing childcare responsibilities. However, her request for an extension of leave was denied, compelling her to return to duty in November 2024.
Sujata, a powerful officer in the Naveen Patnaik government, rapidly ascended the bureaucratic ranks, leading several flagship programs, most notably the Mission Shakti movement. Under her leadership, Mission Shakti was elevated to the status of a dedicated government department, with Sujata appointed as its Secretary. The program, which empowered millions of women through self-help groups, played a significant role in consolidating Naveen Patnaik’s political base.
Her career faced controversy during the 2024 general elections when the Election Commission accused her of misusing public office. Subsequently, she was transferred from her Mission Shakti role to the Finance Department.
Her husband, VK Pandian, known for his immense influence in Naveen Patnaik’s administration during his last term as Chief Minister from 2019 to 2024, had also taken VRS before joining the BJD in 2023.
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