TNI Bureau: The Centre on Monday approved the application for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) of 2000-batch Odisha cadre IAS officer & Private Secretary to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik VK Pandian. He had applied for VRS on October 20.

The voluntary retirement was approved by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. The VRS application has been approved with a waiver of the notice period.

He was Collector in the Mayurbhanj district from 2005-2007 and then was Collector in the Ganjam district from 2007 – 2011.

Pandian, as the 5T Secretary, played a key role in transformation of various projects in the state. His whirlwind tour had raised eyebrows with the Opposition parties baying for his blood.

Speculation is rife about his possible political course.

Pandian served as the trusted lieutenant of CM Naveen Patnaik as his Private Secretary since 2011 and spearheading Patnaik’s vision to transform the State in all fields.

He has been the main strategist behind Odisha being recognized as a major destination for sports in India.