Kiran Bedi accuses Puducherry chief secretary of violating administrative rules

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday accused state Chief Secretary Manoj Parida of violating administrative rules.

Bedi has been at loggerheads with Parida over several administrative issues since last nearly a month.

In a communication to the press, she referred to recent media reports highlighting the decision of the Puducherry government-owned Industries Development Corporation (PIPDIC) to buy 51 per cent equity of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in Hotel Pondicherry Ashok in neighbouring Kalapet village.

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“The decision will involve heavy financial implications. The office of Lt Governor was totally kept out of the loop,” she said, adding that she called for the file and examined it.

“The Chief Secretary who is supposed to ensure compliance and observance of rules at no stage suggested on the file that the Lt Governor’s office be kept in the loop,” she claimed.

Bedi said that “this is yet another repeated case of violation of administrative rules by him (Chief Secretary).”

Bedi said that the Union Home Ministry “will once again be informed of this development.”