Discord in Puducherry (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 1: Polity
Prelims level: Lieutenant Governor
Mains level: Federalism

Context

•  This round of conflict between Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi has been more serious than those in the past. Mr. Narayanasamy sat in protest for six days, before the two could meet to hold talks to resolve a set of issues he raised in a letter earlier this month.
•  He has been opposing what he calls Ms. Bedi’s “high-handedness” and tendency to interfere in the administration.
•  The two have had differences on many issues over the last two years.

Uprising the problems

•  Such problems are an obvious consequence of the political structure of Union Territories, in which the Administrator, as the nominee of the President, enjoys powers superior to the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
•  The trigger for the latest stand-off seems to have been Ms. Bedi’s move to enforce the rule for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets.
•  While the Chief Minister believes it can be enforced only after raising awareness, Ms. Bedi wants it implemented immediately.
•  However, the Chief Minister insists that his protest has nothing to do with this.
•  He lists the blocking of welfare schemes such as the free rice scheme and enhanced scholarship for Scheduled Caste students, among other actions of the L-G, as the real issues.

Origin of this conflict

•  Whatever be the origin of this conflict, the sight of a Chief Minister on an indefinite dharna is not seemly.
•  It could not have gone on indefinitely, and the fact that a dialogue was formally initiated, albeit after much delay, is a welcome development.
•  Ms. Bedi is acting within her powers or exceeding her brief in seeking to play a proactive role in the affairs of the Union Territory.
•  Under the Constitution, the territory belongs to the President, who runs it through the L-G as Administrator.
•  However, under Section 44 of the Union Territories Act, 1963, the Administrator has to act on the ‘aid and advice’ of the Council of Ministers.

Way forward

•  At the same time, any difference of opinion between them can be referred to the President, and in the meantime the Administrator’s action prevails on any urgent matter.
•  This scheme, which gives a clear edge to the Centre, can work only if there is harmony between the Council and the L-G. It would be unfortunate if individuals occupying Raj Nivas in any Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly get carried away and ignore or undermine the elected body.
•  By ruling on the limits of the L-G’s powers in Delhi, the Supreme Court stressed the need for the L-G as well as people’s representatives to “function in harmony within constitutional parameters”.
•  The L-G was cautioned against having a hostile attitude towards the Ministers.
•  There is no reason why that principle cannot be extended to Puducherry, which has a longer record of elected governments.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements related to Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) in India:
1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits.
2. NBFCs can issue cheques.
3. The Deposit insurance facility of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

Mains Questions:
Q.1) Discuss the role and responsibilities of the LG as per Indian constitution.