Bhubaneswar, August 10: The state government has initiated a probe into the expenditure for former Bureaucrat VK Pandian’s helicopter visits before the elections.
A probe is underway to find out the expenses incurred from Odisha government’s treasury for Pandian’s helicopter visits, said Minister Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Friday.
“There is a set of rules on who are entitled to avail helicopter facility. The matter will be thoroughly probed and appropriate action will be taken if any irregularity is found,” said the Minister.
The BJP government is vigilant with a focus on zero tolerance against corruption,” he added.
The Minister’s statement came after some right to information activists alleged that they are unable to find official data regarding government expenses for Pandian’s helicopter visits before the elections.
Notably, Pandian had visited all the 147 Assembly constituencies of the state before the elections and most of the time used helicopters. It was also alleged that helipads were constructed by the works department.
