Puducherry: The tussle between the Congress government and Lt Governor Kiran Bedi seems to be becoming bitterer by the day. CM V. Narayanasamy and Kiran Bedi continue to lock horns, the latest issue being over the transfer of Puducherry municipal commissioner R. Chandrasekaran. The Chief Minister on Sunday made it clear that the transfer of the officer would remain in force.
Bedi had declared the order, which was issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Parida, ‘invalid’ saying that it was ‘not issued with the approval of the competent authority’.
Narayanasamy maintained that govt has acted as per the ruling of the Speaker in transferring the official. “The Speaker gave directions to remove Chandrasekaran as he was infringing into the privilege enjoyed by the legislators. The govt is duty bound to implement the directions of the speaker”, said the CM.
Narayasamy asserted that the government have got power to take a decision on service matters. “Keeping an officer on wait and posting another in his place is a routine administrative matter and is well within the powers of the government.
The Lt Governor has to consult the CM before taking a decision as per 47(2) of the business rules”, said Narayasamy. Replying to a question on reports that the Lt Governor is going to initiate actions against the Chief Secretary for issuing the order, the CM said that he will shoulder all the responsibility of taking action against the official. “It is not the responsibility of the Chief Secretary, I accept the responsibility. I have informed the PM and Home Minister on the things that led to the transfer of the official” said the CM.
At the same time, the Lt Governor stated that public officials should take legal guidance when in doubt to ensure justice. “The safest route for all public officials is to follow the law and order. And when in doubt take legal guidance to ensure justice immediately to avoid delay at the same time”, wrote Ms Bedi on her twitter account.
