PUDUCHERRY: Chief Secretary Manoj Parida has found himself in a catch-22 position as Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Saturday told that action would be taken against him for carrying out the Speaker’s order without informing her.
Parida had issued orders transferring R Chandrasekaran, Puducherry Municipal Commissioner, and putting him on compulsory wait, as per the ruling of the Assembly Speaker.
However, the Lt Governor maintained that the order to transfer the municipal commissioner was issued without her consent which is in violation of the business rules. Quoting Part XIV of the Constitution, Bedi said that since the UT is not included under the definition of a State, the Legislative Assembly is not endowed with powers to legislate in service matters.
Further, citing Rule 47 of Rules of Business, she said that with respect to persons serving in connection with the administration of the UT, the administrator shall exercise such powers and functions as may be entrusted to him/her under the rules and orders regulating the conditions of service of such persons or by any other order of the President.
She stated that the Home Ministry has concurred with her and opined that the chief Secretary has clearly committed a very serious irregularity even if it was under instructions. “He was duty bound to send the true file to LG office,” she said.
“It is a very unfortunate act of indiscipline committed by the CS for which action will have to be taken,” she said. On account of his action, the entire class of public officials are facing embarrassment and unrest, she said.
However, the Chief Secretary maintained that the Speaker had given him a note stating that the Speaker’s ruling was final and would stand in front of law. Any violation of it would be contempt, he added.
The Chief Secretary has forwarded the Speaker’s note to Lt Governor and Chief Minister Narayanasamy.