Pondy CM protests Bedi issuing warnings
Puducherry, Aug 5: Puducherry chief minister V . Narayanasamy on Sunday took exception to Lt Governor Kiran Bedi issuing warnings to government officials during her field visits and holding meetings with them to review implementation of various schemes.
Addressing reporters here Narayanasamy said, “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 Bharath Abhiyan in the Union Territory.”
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 decisionmaking 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 concerned ministers through the Chief Secretary or concerned Secretaries of the department, Narayanasamy, who has been at loggerheads with the Lt Governor on various issues, said.