No clash between LG Kiran Bedi and govt: Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy

Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday asserted that there were no difference of opinion between his ministry and Lt Governor Kiran Bedi. “There is no clash between the Lt Governor and the ministry,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_2818244” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of V Narayanasamy. PIB[/caption] He said the LG and the ministry were functioning within the powers demarcated for them in the Constitution. Hence, there were no room for any difference of opinion. Addressing reporters in Puducherry, the Chief Minister said there was a vast difference in the constitutional provisions governing the administration of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. “We have separate provision in the Constitution relating to Puducherry and the rules framed under the Union Territories Act 1963 were also different and hence one should not contend that both Delhi and Puducherry Union Territories were on equal footing,” he said. Replying to a question whether conferment of statehood for Puducherry would clear the scenario as far as powers for elected ministry were concerned, he said his government and Congress insisted that Puducherry should be granted special category status. Special category status would ensure that the Centre provided 90 percent of the budgetary requirements of Puducherry by way of grants while the remaining 10 percent could be mobilised by the state government. Asked about his reported warning to government employees that they would be dismissed if they come late, he said he has never made any critical comments against government staff although his intention was that the employees should be punctual in turning up at their workplace. “I have great regard for government staff and a section of the media has come out with misleading reports intending to cause a wedge between me and the government employees,” he said. Narayanasamy said he had already requested the Union Finance Minister to ensure that none of the provisions of the GST bill hit the economy and revenue base of Puducherry.