In a significant move, the government in Odisha has rejected the childcare leave extension application of IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan. Karthikeyan, a 2000-batch officer and wife of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s close associate V K Pandian, had requested a six-month extension for her leave, citing the need to care for her minor daughter.
The General Administration Department issued an official notification on Tuesday, stating, “After careful consideration, your application for an extension of childcare leave for an additional six months, effective from November 27, 2024, has not been approved.” Karthikeyan was directed to return to her duties starting Wednesday.
Karthikeyan had initially been granted leave from June 5, the day after the Odisha Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, to look after her daughter who is preparing for her class 10 exams. Her leave was scheduled to end on November 26, but she requested an extension on November 4.
Earlier this year, ahead of the general elections, the Election Commission had transferred Karthikeyan from her position at the Mission Shakti Department to a non-public-facing role. She was reassigned as the Special Secretary to the Finance Department, where she is expected to join on Wednesday.
During the tenure of the previous BJD government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP, which was in opposition at the time, lodged several complaints with the Election Commission accusing Karthikeyan of using her position to actively support the BJD in the elections. The BJP alleged that Mission Shakti, a program under Karthikeyan’s leadership, had been used to mobilize over 70 lakh rural women in self-help groups to sway voters in favor of the BJD. The BJP had also called for Karthikeyan’s suspension during the election period.
