Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Puducherry minister seeks Bedi's removal

Image
Press Trust of India Puducherry
Last Updated : Jun 28 2017 | 10:32 PM IST
Mounting a scathing attack on Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan today sought her removal for "unnecessarily encroaching" on the powers and demarcated authority of the elected government by "functioning like a maharani".
He told a hurriedly convened press conference here that Bedi should be replaced as she had been "encroaching upon the powers and rights of a democratically elected government".
Alleging that she was functioning like a "maharani", he claimed that ever since Bedi assumed charge, she had been functioning under the impression that none could question her and that she was all powerful in the administration.
She had been posing a challenge to the government and functioning in an authoritarian manner, affecting its routine functioning, he alleged.
Kamalakannan, elected from Karaikal, also condemned the "off the cuff" comment by BJP national president Amit Shah during his recent visit to Puducherry that "the Narayanasamy- led Puducherry government is the most corrupt".
The comment is "unfair and highly condemnable", he said.

More From This Section

He disputed the BJP president's claim that the Centre had raised allocations to Puducherry in the last three years by 613 per cent for various schemes.
"In my own departments like agriculture and electricity no hike has been shown in funds allocation. This is an incorrect and unjustified claim on the part of the BJP leader," he claimed.
Kamalakannan, who also holds the education portfolio, said CENTAC (Centralised Admission Committee), a nodal agency for selection of students to medical and other professional courses was functioning in a transparent manner.
"We are of the firm view that there was no violation of rules and specific procedures in the working of CENTAC," he said.
The CBI had yesterday searched the CENTAC office here after the Lt Governor's office sought a probe into alleged corruption in admission to post-graduate courses by private medical colleges.
He also alleged that when the Lt Governor's approval was sought for waiver of Rs 22 crore due as loans to cooperative societies from the farmers, she did not give her nod.
He also alleged that the Centre was not responding to requirements of the Puducherry government to meet the drought relief payment.
The minister wanted to know what contribution Bedi had made for development of Puducherry since she took over as the Lt Governor.
"She, on the other hand, has been putting obstacles in the path of development of the Union Territory," he alleged, adding that Bedi had been making baseless allegations against the government.

Also Read

First Published: Jun 28 2017 | 10:32 PM IST

Next Story