Puducherry CM protests Governor Kiran Bedi’s warning to govt officials

Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy on Sunday protested against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi warning government officials during her field visits and holding meetings with them to review implementation of schemes.

“Of late, Bedi has been issuing warnings through social media to officers and intimidating them that stern action would be taken if they were found wanting in implementation of schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the Union Territory,” Narayanasamy said in Puducherry.

Making it clear that he had no objection to the Lt Governor undertaking field visits, he said, Bedi had no independent authority whatsoever as had been clearly stated by the Supreme Court in its recent verdict on the tussle between the AAP government and Lt Governor of New Delhi.

The apex court had held that Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal does not have independent decision-making powers, and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

If the Lt Governor had anything to say, she must first convey her proposals to the chief minister or ministers concerned through the chief secretary or concerned secretaries of the department, said Narayanasamy, who has been at loggerheads with the Lt Governor on various issues.

“The ministers would then look into her views and take action as the Lt Governor has no independent authority to hold meetings with the officers and issuing warnings to them. Officers should bring to the notice of the chief minister and ministers concerned any instructions they receive from the Lt Governor,” he added

On developmental works in the Union Territory, the chief minister said ₹10 crore have been provided by Airports Authority of India under its Corporate Social Responsibility scheme to build an indoor stadium in all four regions.

The local fishing harbour would be developed into a world class harbour at an outlay of ₹20 crore funded by the Centre.

Bedi, who assumed office in May 2016, has been asserting that being the administrator of the UT, she had the powers over administrative matters.

First Published: Aug 05, 2018 18:26 IST