Parliamentary secretary to the Chief Minister K. Lakshminarayanan on Wednesday questioned the decision of Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat to bear the expenditure for the legal aid provided to Lt Governor’s secretary G. Theva Neethi Dhas and former Municipality Commissioner R. Chandirasekaran on the privilege case.
Speaking on the Motion of thanks to the Lieutenant Governor for her address, Mr. Lakshminarayanan said a person in the rank of Additional Solicitor-General had appeared for Mr. Dhas and Mr. Chandirasekaran in the High Court.
The Raj Nivas decision to foot the legal bill of persons against whom contempt proceedings were initiated was an unhealthy practice, he said. It was infringement on the rights of the Assembly. He came out against Ms. Bedi for undermining the authority of an elected government.
CM praised
Mr. Lakshminarayanan complimented the Chief Minister and Ministers for “functioning effectively” despite hurdles put by Ms. Bedi. The government was able to deliver on the promises given to the electorate, he said.
He criticised the Lt. Governor for “stalling the implementation of several welfare measures with the intent to tarnish the image of the government.”
Participating in the debate, Government whip R.K.R. Anantharaman said the Chief Minister was tactfully overcoming fiscal constraints caused due to demonetisation and closure of liquor shops on the national highways following the directive of the Supreme Court.
He said that the Chief Minister’s capability had resulted in the Union Territory mobilising ₹1,576.1 crore to the exchequer. “The Congress Government doesn’t have any personal grudge against the Lt. Governor. The union territory must have a government headed by the elected Ministry,” he said. The union territory’s growth at 11.40% was higher than the national average.
The debate would continue on Friday.
