Kiran Bedi says CM making incorrect statements on SEC's appointment

Lieutenant Goverr of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on Thursday said territoral Chief Minister V Narayanasamy was issuing allegedly incorrect statements by saying she has authority to appoint or quash appointment of state election commissioner (SEC). Chief Minister h said at a press conference on Wednesday that neir Lieutenant Goverr r Union Home Ministry has any power to cancel appointment of SEC to conduct civic polls.

" appointment is fait accompli," he h said. Chief Minister h said SEC was appointed by government in July last year through a tification issued as per n directions of Speaker on floor of House in response to a plea by members belonging to both ruling and opposition parties.

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In wake of Speaker's ruling, government appointed a former IAS officer of territorial government T M Balakrishnan as SEC whose post was vacant for some years. official also assumed office same month.

Reiterated in a statement

Bedi, however, reiterated in a statement in her whatsapp mess on Thursday that Union Home Ministry h issued an order on December 20 last year directing Chief Secretary of territorial government to select SEC through a transparent, competitive and fair process by calling for applications for appointment through an all-India newspaper vertisement.

She pointed out in her mess that Home Ministry h also stated that selection of incumbent to post of SEC should be done by an exclusive selection committee heed by Chief Secretary for timely completion of election process. former IPS officer, with whom Chief Minister has been at loggerhes on several ministrative issues ever since she assumed office, said Home Ministry h stated that composition and terms of reference of Selection Committee for appointment of SECmay be finalised by Lieutenant Goverr of Union Territory.

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She said relevant law on appointment of SEC and directions of Home Ministry in selection of official were being followed. public statements of Chief Minister that Lieutenant Goverr h authority to appoint or cancel posting of SEC were factually incorrect.

"It is my duty to apprise people of correct legal and ministrative facts to enable m to demand conduct of civic polls which have t been held for nearly a dece w," she said.

Bedi said Supreme Court h delivered a judgment on May 8, 2018 on a civil appeal 'directing territorial government to tify election to municipalities and or panchayats in Union Territory without delay. On account election process should be stalled after delimitation of wards is completed.'

She called for compliance with this by all concerned and reiterated: 'What is being done by government of India and Lieutenant Goverr is as per law and also directions of Supreme Court.' For want of elected civic bodies, people of Union Territory have been deprived of central funds meant for local bodies, she ded.

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