Final powers legally rests with me: Kiran Bedi

Puducherry: Lt Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi in her open letter to people of Puducherry said she would  relinquish her office on May 29, 2018, after completing two years in Puducherry.   

“I have given myself a tenure here. I shall relinquish my office on May 29, 2018, when I complete two years in Puducherry. I have already informed my seniors,” she wrote in the letter.

“For the last seven months I have tried to fulfil my duties with utmost sense of responsibility. I have ensured fairness and financial prudence as expected of my position. I have promoted rule of law as you may have observed,” she said.
Bedi’s letter comes at a time when the Union Territory  is seemingly witnessing a replay of Delhi.

Differences between the ruling Congress party and Ms Bedi  came to fore on Thursday as the latter  declared as “null and void” the circular issued by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy banning the use of social media for official communication.

Ms Bedi faced severe criticism from Congress for “overlooking” an elected government and for not acting within the constitutional norms. Other political parties in the state including AIADMK and Left parties also cornered the Lt Governor over the suspension of a Puducherry Civil Service officer without the knowledge of the Chief Minister and bypassing elected government on taking decisions.

In a reply to the allegations, Ms Bedi ‘reminded’ the ruling party that on several other matters, final powers in areas of finance or service matters, or policy matters as per the law the final responsibility rests with her.

The letter also talks about different initiatives started by her including public grievance redressal system and Swachch Puducherry mission. The letter ends with a note that she would “strive to leave Puducherry clean, safe and prosperous.”