The style of functioning of Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi has become “detrimental” to the peace, progress and development of the Union Territory, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has said.
In a letter to Ms. Bedi on February 7, the Chief Minister said, “from the day your good self assumed office in Raj Nivas as Lt. Governor, your actions have been in violation of the democratic ethos and clear disrespect to the elected representatives... I have been advising your good self to change... But again and again your act of commission and omission have become detrimental to the peace, progress and good governance of Puducherry.”
The Chief Minister cited 39 decisions of the Lt. Governor which were contrary to the concept proposed of the Cabinet and which in turn affected the smooth functioning of his government.
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The Lt. Governor wanted the government to close down the Anglo-French Textiles and Swadeshi Bharati Mills while the Cabinet was in favour of offering voluntary retirement scheme for employees in the mills.
Schemes blocked
In violation of free rice scheme guidelines, the Lt. Governor had stopped distribution of rice through public distribution system outlets and instead opted for direct beneficiary transfer.
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Ms. Bedi had prevented the government from distributing free Pongal gifts to all ration cardholders, the Chief Minister said.
It had become the habit with the Lt. Governor to issue directions to department heads without the knowledge of ministers concerned. As per rules of Business, the Lt. Governor was not supposed to hold review meetings with secretaries and department heads, he said in the letter. “The Lt. Governor is conducting herself as if there is no elected government in Puducherry and there was only a Governor’s rule. Clear provisions in the Constitution, Union Territories Act, rules of business of Government of Pudcherrry were being subverted. The actions of the Lt. Governor are unconstitutional, illegal and wanton acts to stop development works in Puducherry to bring disrepute to a democratically elected government,” he said.