Bedi has no authority to differ from govt's resolve on free rice scheme: Pondy CM

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Thursday flayed Lt Governor Kiran Bedi for "constantly scuttling" the implementation of free rice scheme by taking a stand different from that of his government's resolve on the modus of execution during the lockdown.

Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said the territorial government resolved that BPL families holding red colour ration cards should be supplied 5 kg rice during the current lockdown as per the announcement of the Prime Minister.

However, the Lt Governor insisted that only cash which is equivalent to quantum of rice should be paid to the BPL families.

"How can a Lt Governor differ from the Prime Miniter's directive applicable for the country as a whole?" he asked.

Narayanasamy said, subsequently, Bedi made a u-turn and approved the supply of rice to red colour ration cardholders.

But, she directed the officers to transport the rice in buses owned by the State Road Transport Corporation.

"If this system of moving rice is accepted, there would be delay in its supply to the card holders as larger consignment could be possible if bigger trucks were used," he said.

Narayanasamy said in the meantime there wasa demand from all the leaders and legislators that all APL families holding yellow colour ration cards should also be supplied rice without any discrimination.

When a file in this connection was sent to Lt Governor by Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, she took a stand that only cash should be distributed instead of rice to the APL families.

The CM said he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of the "negative stand" the Lt Governor was constantly taking interrupting the implementation of the scheme.

Referring to Bedi's allegation that he was lying and indulged in misinformation on the rice scheme issue, he said, "This is quite amusing and we do not budge from our stand that only rice should be distributed to all categories and that there should be no payment of cash."