MHA has declared selection of SEC null and void: Bedi

Lt Governor Kiran Bedi in her Whatsapp posted the order from Home Ministry’s Advisor (HT) Jitendra Agarwal and said the Union Home Ministry has directed the Puducherry government to select the SEC through a transparent, competent and fair process when the applications are invited through an all India advertisement and the selection is made through a selection committee headed by Chief Secretary, Puducherry, for thetimely completion of election process.

It was also conveyed by the Home Ministry that the composition and terms of reference of the Selection Committee to select the SEC may be finalized by the Lt Governor, she said. In view of the clear directions issued by the Central Government, the appointment of SEC, notified earlier by Local Administration Secretariat, stands ‘’ab initio, null and void,” Bedi added.

The Lt Governor directed the Chief Secretary to comply with the directions issued by the MHA and carry out the process of early selection of SEC so as to complete the Local Body Election in the UT without any delay. The composition and terms of reference of the selection committee to select the SEC have already been communicated to the Chief Secretary, Bedi said.

The Lt Governor said this was an issue of difference of opinion as the Cabinet went ahead with the nomination process. The communique received from Government of India lays down the process of selection of SEC to conduct local body election which was not held in Puducherry since the past 10 years, despite being mandated by the Supreme Court.