When Centre wrote to a wrong CM

Staff Reporter 
 
Puducherry, May 11, 2018 00:00 IST

Ministry of Home Affairs sends official letter to former CM’s residence

The Central Government committed a faux pas by sending a letter extending the term of office of the seven MLAs as Chairmen of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy’s residential address instead of the Chief Minister’s office.

Pointing to this error, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy immediately sent a letter from his office to the Central Government.

The Puducherry government had sought clarification from the Central government about the terms and conditions laid down by Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi in the extension of the term of office of Chairmen of PSUs.

The letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs addressed to the Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry, said that the matter was examined and that no terms and conditions have been prescribed for appointment of chairpersons in the respective Acts or Rules under which the respective appointment have been made except in relation to the Puducherry Planning Authority and the Puducherry Slum Clearance Board.

The letter signed by Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary to the Government of India, was copied to Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Government of Puducherry, and PS to Chief Minister, Government of Puducherry, Puducherry CM office, Vinayagar Koil Street, Thilaspet.

However, the CM office address in the letter turned out to be the residential address of the former Chief Minister.