While making it clear that he didn’t want to disturb the elected government, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Virendra Kataria has said that he would not hesitate to discharge his constitutional duty to make the elected government function.
Speaking to reporters, who requested him to address the media after an exclusive interview to The Hindu , Mr. Kataria said he stood by whatever he had said in the interview. He wanted the Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, “a popular man and good person,” to deliver on law and order. There was a need for improvements which he pointed out in the interview.
As Lt. Governor of the Union Territory, he had the constitutional powers to carry out duties in the administration. When his attention was drawn to the demand by some political parties for suspending the Assembly for a brief period to rein in “rowdysm,” Mr. Kataria said his intention was not to disturb the elected government. His aim was to improve the governance in all areas, including law and order. It was his constitutional duty to point out mistakes or slackness. On the Chief Minister’s remark that the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police presented a factual report to the Union Home Secretary, he said no one had properly reported to him about it.
The Lieutenant Governor also said he had not discussed the law and order issues. As per the administrative set up, it was Chief Minister who should apprise him about such issues.
