Kiran Bedi vs Puducherry CM: Status quo to remain, SC defers hearing till July 10

SC has restrained Congress government in Puducherry from implementing any of its cabinet decisions having financial implications or connected with land transfer.
Kiran Bedi vs Puducherry CM: Status quo to remain, SC defers hearing till July 10
Kiran Bedi vs Puducherry CM: Status quo to remain, SC defers hearing till July 10
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The Supreme Court on Friday extended its previous order restraining the Congress government in Puducherry from implementing any of its cabinet decisions having financial implications or connected with land transfer. A vacation bench comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Surya Kant said the court will conduct further hearing on July 10.

Initially, during the hearing, the Congress government sought a modification of the June 4 order to continue its free ration scheme but preferred not to pursue the plea till the next date of hearing.

On June 4, the apex court had issued a notice to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and directed that any cabinet decision involving financial implication or land transfer cannot be implemented till the next date of hearing.

The court had said the cabinet meeting set for June 7 in Puducherry could take a decision on these issues but they cannot be implemented.

On May 28, the top court agreed to hear a petition filed by Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi seeking clarity on the administrative control of the Union Territory.

In her plea, Bedi argued that government officers in Puducherry were caught in a bind after the apex court issued a notice on a Madras High Court order that curbed Bedi's powers.

On May 10, the apex court admitted Bedi’s appeal to stay the high court decision and issued a notice to various respondents, including the state government. Bedi’s petition claimed that the Madras High Court had not understood the true import of the Union Territories Act.

Bedi and Narayanasamy have been at loggerheads on administrative issues ever since she assumed office in May 2016. In the wake of the standoff, Bedi moved the Madras High Court seeking clarity on control of bureaucrats in Puducherry. The Madras High Court in its verdict on April 30 stated that the Lieutenant Governor “cannot interfere with the activities of the elected government”.

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