Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi completed an eventful two years in office last week. The country’s first woman IPS officer, who took over as the 23rd Lt. Governor of the Union Territory in May 2016, responded to a questionnaire from The Hindu on a range of aspects of her two-year stint, from her rocky relationship with the Congress-led Government to her plan to formulate a development vision for Puducherry for the next 10 years. Excerpts
You have completed two years as Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory. When you look back, how do you feel?
It’s a rare opportunity which has enabled me to serve Puducherry and learn in the process.
I also experienced first hand what holds back development and deprives the people of their legitimate resources and the solutions we have. It’s a hopeful situation.
As Lt. Governor you have been proactive in implementing Centrally-driven schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, and quite notably, the revival of water bodies. Apart from these two areas, what else would you count as achievements?
It’s no point asking me about the achievements. Ask the people if they have felt the difference if any...
Do you have any regret of not being able to implement any specific schemes, programmes or decisions that could have made a difference on the ground.
No regret. Only gratitude for everything.
Would you agree that a better working relationship with the government would have actually helped in the stated aim of mass welfare?
In the current circumstances, it could not be different. Hence, the challenge is to make the best of all there is.
More on your difficult relationship with the government. The Ministry has taken a critical stand on your style of functioning. The Chief Minister has gone public about the L-G’s day-to-day interference in the functioning of an elected government, which he claims, violates the essence of democracy and the spirit of the Constitution. Both the L-G and the CM swear by the same Constitution. Then why this rift? Please share your thoughts.
We both have been saying we are going by the rules and the law. I won’t like to be the judge. All I can say is I read the rules on taking over and decided to fulfil my responsibilities in letter and spirit. I was ably guided too. I enjoy no legal immunity as Lt. Governor compared to full fledged Governors of States.
What is your assessment of the financial position of UT?
Very precarious. Needs a lots of homework and hard work with total integrity and wisdom.
Your office is a link between the Centre and the elected government here. In that sense, the Ministry is of the view that you could have played a more active role in helping the government tide over the present financial crisis. According to the government, the Lt. Governor has failed on this front. Your response.
It’s a perception. I am not sure of which Ministry you have in mind. In the given situation, this is the maximum I believe I could do.
In the public eye, the UT would have benefited had you and the Chief Minister been more accommodating of each other’s role in governance. Has your relationship with the government, and the CM, improved or worsened during the course of two years?
I do not know what you mean by accommodation? Am here to serve with full accountability.
Some time ago, you accused the government of wrong doings claiming that you have received specific complaints. You have particularly targeted the Social Welfare Minister. What action have you taken on those complaints?
Any complaint received got its due treatment. And it helped. I have been a whistle-blower on need basis. It served the purpose.
At times more surgical action was sought. Like the intervention of the CVC and the CBI. That too worked.
In an open letter to the public in January last year, you had hinted at demitting office this May. The CM had even asked you to honour your own words…
Serving Puducherry has become a cause. I have felt related. Also the change in the executive leadership, for the better, has been encouraging.
Your priority areas for the next year
Provide a plan to Puducherry will for the next decade.
A practical plan which people of Puducherry feel equally responsible for.