Puducherry: Mounting his sharpest criticism of Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday challenged Ms Bedi to prove her allegations of corruption and malpractices in the government’s Centralised Admission Committee (Centac) admission to postgraduate seats in private colleges.
“Centac had strictly followed directions of Union health ministry and Medical Council of India during the admission process. Counselling was conducted in a fair and transparent manner ensuring reservation for OBC, MBC, Backward Class (Muslim), Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe students,” said Mr Narayasamy while making a suo moto statement in the assembly during zero hour in the assembly .
Accusing Ms Bedi of damaging the reputation of the government by making ‘utterly incorrect and misleading’ statements against the admission process after visiting Centac office on May 30 and 31, the Chief Minister dared her to prove her allegations.
“The Lt Governor is alleging that government had given away the 71 unfilled seats to private managements and malpractices were committed in finalising the list of students. Ms Bedi should establish her allegations against officers and political leaders in Puducherry with evidence,” he said.
Mr Narayasamy said he would file defamation suits against those who damage the reputation of the government by leveling baseless allegations on medical admission process.
He said Ms Bedi should tender an ‘open apology’ for making baseless allegations against politicians and officials of the Union Territory.
“Ms Bedi was threatening the officers who were present there to follow her directions. The question now is that whether Ms Bedi deserves to occupy the post of the Lt Governor,” said the Chief Minister.
Making strong criticism against secretary to the Lt Governor G Theva Needhi Dhas for filing counter-affidavit in Madras high court as a respondent in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed on medical college admission by parents and students, the Chief Minister said Mr Dhas did not inform the health minister, chief secretary, health secretary and law department before filing the counter affidavit. “He did not even inform me before moving to the court”, said Mr Narayasamy. “I will write to the Union home minister on the conduct of Dhas, an IAS officer,” he added.
