Puducherry CM accuses Lt Governor Bedi of giving 'untrue' information
What's the story
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday accused Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi of issuing "untrue and utterly wrong information" through social media that the Center was providing grants at 60% of the total budget requirements of the Union Territory.
Narayanasamy clarified the Center was only providing 26% of the budget needs under Central grants and not 60% as claimed by Bedi.
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Puducherry government raising loans from open market borrowings
Addressing the reports in Puducherry, V Narayanasamy claimed that of Rs. 7,830 crore for fiscal 2018-2019 the Central grant was only Rs. 1,460 crore.
The territorial government mobilized Rs. 2,000 crore under commercial taxes, Rs. 1,000 crore under Excise among other levies.
Besides, the government was raising loans from open market borrowing to meet its commitments, he said.
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Lt Governor issued untrue information about the Center: CM
Accusing Kiran Bedi, Narayanasamy said, "While the Center's grant is only 26% of the budget requirements, the Lt Governor was issuing untrue information that the Center was providing 60% as grants."
At Loggerheads
CM and Bedi at loggerheads for a long time
The Chief Minister, who had been at loggerheads with the Lt Governor on various issues also said the government had decided to earmark Rs. 336 crore for state government-run public sector undertakings and cooperative societies towards wages and allowances of the employees.
"The file relating to this was sent to Bedi and has not yet cleared," he alleged.
Kiran Bedi
Bedi had been misusing her power: Narayanasamy
Registering strong protest against the Lt Governor holding meetings with officials and giving directions to them, Narayanasamy said, "This is in total violation of the rules of business relating to Puducherry administration."
"Bedi had been misusing her power and acts arbitrarily, which is violative of the principles of democracy and the norms governing administration by the elected government," he added.