Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and DMK chief MK Stalin have become embroiled in a war of words over Yanam, one of the four districts in the union territory. Last week, Stalin accused the Lt Governor of attempting to give an island belonging to the district over to Andhra Pradesh. Kiran Bedi has responded to the allegations stating that she had personally seen 'gross environmental violations' on the Godavari river.
Yanam, a region belonging to the union territory of Puducherry, is located 870 km away from it, near the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. The allegations pertain to alleged illegal constructions taking place on Island No 5 belonging to Yanam district. Residents had reportedly complained that the municipal administration had illegally undertaken construction work using 'brick and mortar' in order to develop tourism. Brick and mortar developments have been banned by coastal zone regulatory authorities. While Andhra Pradesh's claim over the island is still pending before the AP High Court, the LG visited the district last week for a review visit.
What Stalin said
When campaigning for Congress candidate A John Kumar in the Kamaraj Nagar bye-elections, Stalin said that the LG was attempting to give away the island to Andhra Pradesh. Accusing the LG of bringing a direct rule by the BJP in the union territory, he alleged, “While the Chief Minister Narayanasamy is attempting to make Puducherry worthy of statehood, the Governor is trying to stop this. Attempts are underway to give the Yanam region to Andhra Pradesh. The betrayal by the Puducherry Lieutenant Governor is not an ordinary one. It is an utter betrayal.”
Meanwhile Chief Minister Narayanasamy alleged that LG Bedi had met with the petitioner from Andhra who had taken the issue to court, calling it a contempt of court. Both Stalin and Narayanasamy have long accused LG Kiran Bedi of attempting to interfere in the administrative affairs of the union territory.
Kiran Bedi reacts
Responding to the allegations, Kiran Bedi said that she had verified the violations during her visit. “Public money has been lost due to violation of environmental laws [and also] undue delay in installation of a low cost tidal-lock below the culvert to prevent flooding and more.” she said. She also alleged that the concrete construction that has since been washed away was built over fragile land in the middle of the Godavari river.
“Repeated lies do not make it true. People are not being informed how concrete construction, now washed away, has been done on a fragile land in the mid of Godavari River. A vigilance enquiry is under way. Who pushed for construction at the cost of 5 crores for poor Yanam without basics?” she said, adding, “The island case of Yanam may well help public officials understand that the only safeguard for their career is to follow the law and rules. And also to see their implementation on ground.”