Kiran Bedi misuses power on several aspects: Pondy CM

Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayasamy has accused Lt Governor Kiran Bedi of 'misusing the power' and for overriding the legislative Assembly and the elected government on several aspects.

Talking to reporters here the Chief Minister lashed out against Ms Bedi saying that she has been interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the government with the sole intention of bringing ill-will and tarnish the image of the elected government here.

The Chief Minister’s statement comes after the Lt Governor reportedly asked to reduce the grant being provided to government aided private schools towards salary and pension in a phased manner.

"The government is providing grants to 35 private schools in the Union Territory since 1957. Most of these schools are minority institutions and their contribution only helped Puducherry to maintain the status of 100 per cent literate state. More over students from poor background are studying in these schools", said Mr Narayasamy.

Pointing out that even Tamil Nadu government is following the same policy in the case of government aided schools, the Chief Minister alleged that the Lt Governor is trying to cause embarrassment to the elected government by asking to reduce the aid being provided to these institutions."The Lt Governor is visiting these schools and promising the staffs that their salary will be provided soon. The next day she is making such statements which is definitely meant to cause embarrassment to the elected government", said the Chief Minster.

 The Chief Minister accused Ms Bedi of pending the files related to salary of government employees intentionally to damage the image of the government.

"The employees of government and government aided societies are protesting for their salary. in fact the elected government had released Rs 326 crore in the budget to pay the salary of the employees, but the Lt Governor is returning the files each month and delaying the salary", he said. Narayasamy also said that talks would be held with the employees to make them aware of the actual situation.

He also maintained that the Lt Governor do not have right to issue any direct orders adding that it is not there in the constitution or the union territories Act.

"The Lt Governor is visiting different departments these days and under the pretext of inspection, she is threatening officials and issuing on the spot directions. Who is going to obey these orders  when the Lt Governor has got no right to issue direct orders", the Chief Minister added.The Chief Minister also said that the central team assigned to study the impact of Gaja cyclone in Karaikal region had a detailed inspection in the area and the report would be submitted soon. He had expressed hope that the Union government will immediately release aid to the territorial administration once  report is submitted.