Kiran Bedi reinstates Chandrasekaran

Puducherry Municipal Commissioner R Chandrasekaran who was removed from his post and kept under compulsory wait retained his position on Monday, thanks to the efforts of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi. 

The action was taken against Chandrasekaran following a ruling by Assembly Speaker V Vaithilingam. He was kept under wait till the disposal of the privilege issue filed against him by an AIADMK (Amma) legislator Bhaskar last week. 

Chief Secretary Manoj Parida issued an order to shift Chandrasekaran out and he further directed the Art and Culture Department Director Ganesan to assume additional charge. However, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi cancelled the Chief Secretary’s order stating that the power pertaining to service matters wrests with her and it is she who is supposed to take the final decision. 

She reiterated that the transfer order was invalid and directed Chandrasekaran to resume duty as Municipal Commissioner. Following this, Chandrasekaran came to the Municipal Commissioner office on Monday morning and found Ganesan sitting on his seat. Chandrasekaran showed the Lt. Governor’s order to Ganesan, following which the latter vacated the chair.