Female IAS applied for extension of childcare leave, government refused

The Odisha government on Tuesday rejected the application of IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan to extend her childcare leave for six months. Karthikeyan is a 2000 batch IAS officer. She is the wife of VK Pandian, a close aide of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. This information has been given through an official notification issued by the General Administration Department.

The information reads, “After careful consideration, your application for extension of childcare leave by six months from 27 November 2024 is rejected. You are asked to join the service from Wednesday.” Karthikeyan was granted leave till November 26 to take care of her minor daughter on June 5, a day after the Lok Sabha and Assembly election results in Odisha. Her daughter was appearing for the 10th examination. On November 4, she applied to extend this leave for six more months.

Let us tell you that before the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission had transferred Karthikeyan from the Mission Shakti Department. She was posted there for six years. After this, she was sent to a department where she did not have direct contact with the people. Later she was posted as Special Secretary in the Finance Department. This is where she has to take charge from Wednesday.