Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minster V Narayanasamy on Sunday reiterated that as Lt Governor of the Union Territory, Kiran Bedi has got no special powers to act. Talking to media persons, the Chief Minister also said that officials need not implement any orders issued by Ms Bedi on her own.
The Lt Governor had once again threatened officials of severe actions if her orders are not implemented, said the Chief Minister. “I have pointed out the guidelines several times, but she is repeating the same things. The government has no objection on Bedi conducting field visits, but holding meetings with officials without the knowledge of the Chief Minister or ministers concerned is not fair and cannot be accepted,” said Mr Narayanasamy.
Bedi, on Saturday, warned officials of action if the orders issued as per the field visits of the Lt Governor are not implemented. Bedi had said that she had completed 175 weekend rounds in last two years and will be revisiting the area in the next 25 weekend rounds.
She directed the officials concerned to explain the changes made in the area following the visits of the Lt Governor. “The sites showing good change shall get a recorded appreciation letter and a gift personally presented at RajNivas to all who made the difference,” she said.
The Lt Governor also said that those sites not showing any satisfactory change will owe an explanation and dependent on that, rest of the required steps will follow.
Responding to this Mr Narayanasamy said that the Lt Governor is using the visits for publicity purpose. “The Chief Minister and Ministers are entrusted to deal with the day-to-day affairs of the government and the file id being sent to the Lt Governor for her information only. The Lt Governor is using her inspections and field visits for publicity,” he alleged. Mr Narayanasamy also suggested that the Lt Governor should go through the recent Supreme Court ruling before making such comments.
The Chief Minister added that the Puducherry and Karaikal are nearing completion in achieving the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF) and the two regions would be declared OFD this month.
