Bedi accuses CM of threatening officials: Sticks to stand on

In an escalation of the row over the Pongal gift hamper scheme, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi Wednesday released a copy of a document to support her stand that it was meant only for BPL people and accused Chief Minister V Narayanasamy of threatening officials.

In tweets and a message to the media, she attached a copy of the document titled "Rules for the scheme for distribution of festival items at free of cost etc in Union Territory of Puducherry" and said as per it the Pongal scheme was only for below poverty line (BPL) people.

"See d documents by which d scheme for free Pongal gifts is only for Below Poverty ppl & absolute poor. NOT for APL which is above poverty. HCM wants FOR ALL which is not the notified scheme of which he too is part of the decision. C his signatures of endorsement," she tweeted.

In another tweet, she tagged a media report on Narayanasamy's reported remarks that days "are numbered for Bedi" (in Puducherry) and what would the officials do then (after her departure).

"Officers doing their duty with integrity and total commitment to the prosperity of Puducherry are being threatened by HCM. I do hope people of Puducherry will take care of them always...," she said.

She also alleged the Chief Minister was misrepresenting information as the office of the Lt Governor was coming in his way "from spending money where the scheme does not provide for and even when he is part of the decision."