State Govt To Probe 450 Illegal Helipads Across Odisha To Facilitate VK Pandian's Tours

Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: It hasn't been two months since Mohan Charan Majhi took the reign of Odisha for the BJP Govt, and the scams and frauds are coming to fore one after the other.

A couple of days after announcing the investigation into the helicopter tour scam, involving former 5T chairman VK Pandian, another scam came to light, thanks to the said probe.

The ongoing investigation into helicopter tour scam has revealed that about 450 illegal helipads have been built to facilitate Pandian's tour across the state.

Prithiviraj Harichandan, Minister of Law, Works and Excise, Govt of Odisha, has slammed the former BJD Govt saying that a probe into the helipad scam will be initiated.

"Who gave the order to build so many illegal helipads? Strict action will be taken against the people responsible for the scam," said the Works Minister.

Earlier Friday, the state government has initiated an investigation into the expenses incurred by Pandian's statewide helicopter tours before the 2024 general elections.

Odisha's Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena Friday told media that a probe into the statewide chopper tours of the former IAS officer before the general elections is underway and appropriate action will be taken if any irregularity is found in this regard.

"Our government has been vigilant with a focus on ensuring zero corruption. It is not acceptable if a person misuses government money in any form," Jena said.

Earlier, the BJP had alleged that Rs 500 crore of exchequer’s money had been spent on the statewide chopper tours of Pandian.

In June this year, Pandian, a close aide of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, quit active politics following the BJD's defeat in the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.