VK Pandian, the Odisha cadre IAS officer who took voluntary retirement on Monday has been appointed as the Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and ‘Nabin Odisha'. With this he has been granted the rank of cabinet minister and will work directly under chief minister Navin Patnaik.
The Odisha government's 5T governance charter, which focuses on Transparency, Technology, Teamwork and Time leading to Transformation, was formerly spearheaded by Pandian as its secretary. This initiative aims to fast-track multiple projects and has been pivotal in the successful implementation of various state endeavours.
Pandian's portfolio isn't limited to bureaucratic governance. His role in executing large-scale projects like the Sri Jagannath Heritage Corridor is noteworthy. This forthcoming project aims to construct a 75-metre-wide corridor surrounding the ancient Shree Jagannath Temple, enhancing both its visibility and security. Additionally, the man has been a guiding force in the restoration of ancient temples across Odisha.
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