Published 22:07 IST, February 10th 2020
'CAA cannot be questioned or deliberated in any manner', Kiran Bedi tells Puducherry CM
Kiran Bedi wrote a letter to CM V. Narayanasamy stating that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, passed by the Parliament, is applicable to Puducherry as well
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Monday wrote a letter to Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy stating that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, passed by the Parliament, was also applicable to Puducherry and could not be questioned or deliberated in any manner. This letter of Bedi comes days ahead of the special session of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly. The special Assembly session is likely to take up resolutions including against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
"The three members nominated by the central government to Puducherry Legislative Assembly called on me today and submitted a representation. The MLAs have stated that the ruling party would be bringing a resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of Government of India in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, which has been convened on February 12," Bedi said in her letter to Narayanasamy.
MLA's meet Bedi
Bedi further stated in her letter that the MLAs had earlier given a representation to the Speaker of Puducherry Legislative Assembly not to permit any discussion/resolution on CAA as it exceeds the power of Legislative Assembly under Section 18(1) and 18(2) of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963. Earlier today three MLAs - V Saminthan, KG Shankar, and S Selvaganbathy met Bedi regarding the same. She also outlined that CAA has been passed by both the Houses of Parliament and been given Presidential assent.
Bedi stated that the law passed by Parliament, namely CAA is applicable to Puducherry as well, which cannot be questioned or deliberated in any manner.
"The Legislative power of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly does not extend to discuss or deliberate the subject matter of citizenship, as it falls squarely within the domain of Parliament and central government. Further, the matter of CAA is already under adjudication before the Supreme Court. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Puducherry Legislative Assembly, 1966, resolution of any matter which is under adjudication by a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India is not admissible under Rule 105" she said.
(with ANI inputs)
Updated 22:07 IST, February 10th 2020