Bedi hasn't initiated steps for development of Puducherry: CM V Narayanasamy

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who has been at loggerheads with Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, today alleged that she had not initiated any steps for development of the Union Territory.

He charged Bedi with "interfering in the routine administration and functioning of the chief minister, the ministers and officers".

Accusing Bedi of "blocking" the implementation of welfare and developmental schemes, the chief minister said the powers of the Lt Governor had been violated.

"Bedi had not initiated any step for the development of Puducherry and had not been functioning in tandem with the government," Narayanasamy told reporters here.

"What is perplexing is that the Lt Governor has also been intimidating the officers and also chiding the bureaucrats," he said.

His comments came a day after Bedi alleged that the government and the managements were responsible for the imbroglio regarding cancellation of medical seats in Puducherry.

The Medical Council of India had quashed last year's admission of students to MBBS course in private medical colleges under management quota in the Union Territory.

In her twitter handle yesterday, she had said "the agony caused to the students was avoidable if the agencies duty bound had fulfilled their responsibilities as duly directed.

Lack of integrity in exercise of responsibilities causes sufferings."

Dubbing her criticism as "a clear case of irresponsible statement" Narayanasamy said he was surprised to see that Bedi had made the comment holding the government responsible for the imbroglio in admission "without" knowing the ground reality.

The chief minister said he would hold a meeting with the managements of the private medical colleges next week to find a way out of the current situation.

Narayanasamy said the admission to the first year MBBS course under management quota was done by the managements of the colleges and the government never came in the picture.

The chief minister said that he had already represented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the "violation of powers" by Bedi and her frequent criticism against the elected government and officers on each and every matter.