Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Thursday alleged that Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi continued to interfere in the administrative affairs despite an order of the Madras High Court restricting her powers.

Intervening during the question and answer session in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government would take this to the notice of the court.

The free rice scheme was one of the poll promises of the Congress. After the party came to power, the Cabinet had recommended distribution of free rice to ration cardholders. Ms. Bedi returned the file asking the government to credit the money meant for the rice to beneficiaries’ accounts.

But the Cabinet stuck to its stand and eventually the Lt. Governor gave sanction to distribute rice through the public distribution system outlets for the first four months in 2016. Thereafter every time the file pertaining to free rice was moved to Raj Nivas for expenditure sanction, the Lt. Governor raised the same objection. Even after the order of the Madras High Court upholding the rights of an elected government, the Lt. Governor was interfering in the day-to-day administration, the Chief Minister said.

Not satisfied with the clarification, AIADMK members staged a walk out.

The Chief Minister intervened when A. Anbalagan (AIADMK) and R. Siva (DMK) countered the argument by Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy that the Lt. Governor had been hindering distribution of free rice.

Cash transfer

To a question by V. Ramachandran (Independent), the Social Welfare Minister said the government had provided 20 kg of free rice to red ration cardholders for seven months and 15 kg of rice and 5 kg of wheat for another four months.

In the remaining months, cash equivalent to the price of rice was remitted to the account of the beneficiaries. From the beginning, the Lt. Governor had been insisting on cash transfer. As per the demand made by beneficiaries, the government wanted to distribute rice, he said.

When Mr. Anbalagan questioned the necessity of sending the file to Raj Nivas after the High Court order, the Chief Minister said since the expenditure involved was about ₹60 crore, the Lt. Governor’s sanction was necessary.

The AIADMK member said the government and the Lt. Governor were enacting a “drama” on the rice issue.

Mr. Siva said the people were agitated on the delay in distribution of free rice. “Either you give money or rice. As legislators, we are questioned by the public,” he said.

Again when the free rice scheme issue cropped up during zero hour, Mr. Kandasamy urged the chair to adjourn the house for a few minutes so that legislators could meet Ms Bedi to convince her to clear the file.

To the suggestion, Mr Anbalagan said “it is your policy decision and it is your responsibility. After all we have been opposing her and would not like to meet the Lt Governor.”

Mr Siva said his party MLAs would join the delegation.

Speaker V.P. Sivakolundhu urged all members to support the government on the issue. The Chief Minister agreed to seek an appointment with the Lt Governor.