Pondy CM alleges corruption in CSR fund mobilisation by Raj Nivas, Lt Guv denies

Puducherry Chief Minister V

Narayanasamy on Monday alleged that Lt Governor Kiran Bedi "violated" rules in mobilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

However, the former IPS officer termed the CM's charges "wild allegations".

As Narayanasamy demanded a judicial probe into the modalities adopted by the Lt Governor in getting the financial assistance, Bedi rejected the allegation and asserted that Raj Nivas was not involved in any financial transanction.

Talking to reporters here, the CM charged the Lt Governor with "violating" all rules and skipping the committee formed for raising funds under CSR scheme from private companies.

"There is a Himalayan corruption which should be probed by the Centre," Narayanasamy, who has been at loggerheads with Bedi on various issues, alleged.

 

The Chief Minister questioned the authority of Bedi over assigning desilting work under nomination pattern to fix contractors, which he claimed was against the guidelines of Central Vigilance Commission.

"Everything would become clear if the Home Ministry conducted a judicial probe into the modalities the Lt Governor is adopting in raising funds and utilising them," he said.

Later at a press meet, the Lt Governor came out with a rejoinder to the allegations levelled by the chief minister.

The former IPS officer said, "The Chief Minister is making wild allegations. There is no financial transanction at all in Raj Nivas.

Desilting of water channels is being done by donors with the help of machinery provided for 86 km of 23 channels which could have cost the governor more than Rs 10 crores."

"It is done by community without any cost to the government. Chief Minister does not believe that people could be served by government officers without any financial transaction," she said, adding Narayanasamy had not perhaps "experienced such abundant community support for government work."

On Saturday, the former IPS officer had said, "Raj Nivas is only a facilitator and we do not receive any funds straight from the donors. Those contributing funds under CSR had direct link with the owners of the earth movers or excavators and industrial houses."

Bedi, who took over as the Lt Governor in 2016, has been at loggerheads with the ruling Congress and Chief Minister Narayanasamy over various issues and the latter had even demanded her recall, objecting to her style of functioning.