Chief Secretary violated rules, charges Kiran Bedi

It may be noted that Parida on directions from the Speaker to keep municipal commissioner Chandrasekeran under compulsory wait, had issued orders without referring the file to the Lt Governor, who is said to be the ultimate authority on service matters. 

Talking to news persons here on Wednesday, Bedi denied allegations that she was blocking funds to Puducherry from the Centre and said her intention was to prevent corruption. “Why should I block funds,” she asked, adding, “whatever fund is available with the government, it is being spent for the schemes concerned. All funds are for the people and it should be spent for the weaker sections and those who require it.” The LG also said that she was preventing wasteful expenditure. Stating that all are equal before the law, Bedi said that an enquiry would be ordered even if a corruption charge crops up against a minister. 

Denying allegations that she was delaying files, Bedi said she used to pose only relevant queries. “My secretary Theva Neethi Das is an experienced official and important decisions are being taken after due discussions with him,” she said. It was surprising that the privileges committee had sent summons to him. 

To a question, Bedi said that the chief secretary had violated the rules. After meeting the home secretary, she informed him that she would be back in a couple of days. But he acted of his own and misguided the government by issuing orders keeping an official under compulsory wait. 

She had recommended the home ministry to initiate action against the CS and added that such an official could not be retained here. The Home Ministry would initiate departmental action, she added. 

Stating that there was no cooperation from the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues, the Lt Governor said that the MLA s were not joining her during weekend visits. The Chief Minister is questioning her meeting with the public at the Raj Nivas. 

In the case of Chandrasekeran, it was the MLA, who prevented him from doing his works and a case was also registered against the legislator, she said adding that there was no need to get prior permission from a MLA to undertake some works in his constituency. Puducherry was suffering because of this attitude, she added. 

The LG also said that there was no privilege issue in the incident, since it happened outside the Assembly. A proper debate on the issue was needed, she opined. 

Bedi said that she would not remain permanently in Puducherry and added that the Law secretary was consulted on the issue of the Speaker issuing directions to the DGP. “I will not intervene in the police inquiry,” she added. 

On the all-party meeting resolving to make complaints against her in New Delhi, she said let them explain what wrong I did. The elected representatives should read the service rules properly. There was a long list of the powers of the administrator, she said adding that the rules pertaining to finance and service was very clear. This was not a state and the legislature got powers only to a certain extent, she said.