CHENNAI: The
Madras high court has dismissed a petition filed by
Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy to quash the Union home ministry's endorsement of
Puducherry lieutenant-governor
Kiran Bedi's decision to deposit cash equivalent of rice in bank accounts of beneficiaries, instead of disbursing rice free of cost to ration cardholders through fair price shops.
In June 2019, Puducherry council of ministers passed a resolution to continue the distribution of free rice. However, Bedi referred the matter to Union home ministry and directed that the benefit be extended only by direct bank transfer method.
Narayanasamy, in his capacity as Chief Minister of the Union Territory, cannot question the order of the President communicated through the union ministry of home affairs since as the head of the Council of Ministers, he had also taken this oath undertaking to abide with the provisions of the Constitution, the court held. Justice C V Karthikeyan, while dismissing the plea, also pointed out that as Chief Minister, Narayanasamy must be aware that he is bound by any law enacted under the constitution and sections in the Government of union territories act provide that a decision of the President is binding in nature.