Slamming Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi’s remarks on his recent visit to Singapore, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday said he undertook the ‘private’ tour after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said he had informed the Prime Minister in writing about his visit to Singapore following an invitation from the Indian community on October 10. He had categorically stated that it was a private visit and no government expenditure was involved.
On October 29, the MEA gave clearance to him, Minister for Industries M.O.H.F Shahjahan and Chairman of Puducherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited R. Siva to visit Singapore, the Chief Minister said.
He had also communicated to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police about the visit.
Irresponsible statements
He was responding to Ms Bedi’s remarks that she had apprised the Centre about the visit as there was no clarity whether the delegation had obtained approval from the authorities concerned.
“I have been a parliamentarian for a long time and served as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and am well aware of the rules and regulations. I regret that the Lt Governor without knowing facts made such irresponsible comments while occupying a constitutional position,” Mr Narayanasamy said.
About the Lt Governor’s statement that the Chief Minister on a private visit was doing a government job, Mr Narayanasamy said there was nothing wrong in seeking investments while on a private visit. He had very fruitful discussions with representatives of Singapore Business Federation and Singapore Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of his private visit.
A company had promised to invest around ₹1,500 crore to set up a mirror manufacturing factory at Karaikal. Also, a Tiruvarur born businessmen settled in Singapore had assured to establish a super speciality hospital at Karaikal. Once the two ventures materialise, around 1,000 people would get jobs there, he said.
Two other business establishments based at Singapore have evinced interest to set up a mall here and start a cruise service between Chennai- Puducherry-Karaikal and Kanniyakumari. A team representing the cruise operators would be coming to Puducherry on November 20 for further discussions.
