https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Every Penny Of The Government Will Be Accountable

I decided to hold my first meeting with the Law Secretary in my office I wanted to know and get clarity on my legal powers and responsibilities I wanted to know my legal position as a Lt. Governor vis-a-vis the Elected Government
Indian Masterminds Stories

Puducherry, known as the French Riviera of India, was liberated on August 16, 1962, fifteen years after India gained independence and officially merged with the Indian Union.

The Indian and French Parliaments formally accepted the ‘Treaty of Cession’, marked as De Jure Day in Puducherry. Puducherry was declared a Union Territory by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1962. The UT has a Lieutenant Governor and not a full-fledged Governor like other States in India.

I decided to hold my first meeting with the Law Secretary in my office. I wanted to know and get clarity on my legal powers and responsibilities. Mr. Theva Neethi Dhas, my Secretary, accordingly arranged the meeting on priority with Mr. G. Sendil Kumar, Law Secretary. Mr. Dhas informed him of the purpose; hence he came prepared.

MY QUERY

My query was straightforward. I wanted to know my legal position as a Lt. Governor vis-a-vis the Elected Government, as laid down in the Indian Constitution, the Act of Parliament, the Union Territory Act, the Business Rules, and General Financial Rules authorised and approved by the President of India.

The Law Secretary explained all the relevant provisions. My Private Secretary, Mr. R. Sridharan, gave me a quick read and ready reference note. The briefings and the reading revealed that the buck stopped at my desk on financial, service, and specific policy matters. My position was to function as the representative of the President of India.

SERVICE MATTERS

On Service matters: which means appointments, promotions, recruitments, transfers, creation of posts, disciplinary issues, the constitution of boards and committees, relaxation of any rules, or continuance of temporary positions.

However, under Sub Rule 2 of Rule 47 of Rules of Business of Government of Puducherry, regarding service matters, the Administrator (also read the Lieutenant Governor) shall act in consultation (not aid and advice) with Chief Minister. And in respect of no specific provisions, the Administrator may, if deems fit, either consult his Council or the Chief Minister before exercising his powers or discharging his functions.

ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS

On Administrative Powers: Under Rule 25 of the Rules of Business, it is essential to take the Administrator’s prior approval before issuing orders. Topics relating to policy, claims that affect or are likely to affect the peace and tranquillity of the Union Territory, financial matters involving new taxation, the point on plan evaluation, and more.

FINANCIAL POWERS

On Financial Powers: The Administrator is the custodian of the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Puducherry. With the approval of the President of India, the Administrator makes payments and withdrawals of money. The Standing Finance Committee has delegated to Administrator to incur expenditure up to Rs. 50 crores. The Administrator has been empowered with full capabilities to sanction grants and loans to autonomous bodies and undertakings on grants-in-aid. Similarly, the clear powers to raise market borrowings and negotiated loans are subject to the Home Ministry’s clearance. These responsibilities in service matters or financials encompassed across the administration.

I am not sure how many knew about the broad legal responsibilities given to this administrator position. As weeks went by, I realised very few knew, including the media. I perceived the enormity of the responsibility of my position. I, fortunately, inherited a very experienced team with institutional memory. We now got down to work in the right earnest knowing the others were in a dilemma.

POLITICAL CHALLENGE

I did not anticipate an almighty political challenge that lay ahead at that early time. Very soon in the early weeks of my assuming charge, an awaiting newsman asked me about the possibility of friction between elected Government and the office of the Lieutenant Governor. I replied, “Why should there be any? Financial integrity should always be a priority. Every penny of the Government will be accountable. Following the law ought not to cause friction.”

I think perhaps the media reporter knew what was likely to come. I did not; I was new to the situation. I focused mainly on the letter and spirit of the law, examining files based on the laws, rules, and procedures as explained to me by the Law Secretary. The political establishment had their set ideas, claiming to be legal pundits. I did not know then that it shall cost me my entire tenure of nearly five years to fix this.
It came at a hefty charge on public funds, public time, and untiring efforts. It equally engaged the Government of India. Closer to my departure, existing rules and laws got judicially reiterated by the Honourable Supreme Court and Madras High Court. I left behind a legacy of legal clarity on nettlesome issues.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Former IAS Officer & Now Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju
Former IAS Officer and Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju Demands Inquiry into Punjab IAS & IPS Officers’ Alleged Misconduct
bureaucracy news
NPPA Director ICAS Richa Pandey’s Term Ends Early; IAS Kalpashree K R Appointed as Joint Secretary (Vigilance) in Andhra Pradesh
Fake IAS Saurabh Tripathi
Photos with CM, Governor Reveal Lucknow’s Fake IAS Officer Saurabh Tripathi’s Lavish Life Using Forged IDs and Beacon-Fitted Cars
IFS Officer Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa
Vietnam Gets New Indian Envoy: IFS Officer Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa Appointed Ambassador | Career Insights
Profile P
Leadership Change in Meghalaya: CS Donald Wahlang to Retire Sept 30; IAS Shakil P. Ahammed Tipped as Successor
Ex-IRS Officer Ganapati Bhat
Impeachment Probe: Ex-IRS Officer Ganapati Bhat Appointed to Committee Investigating Justice Varma
Prabodh Saxena IAS
Himachal Pradesh Chief Secy Prabodh Saxena’s Service Extension Limited to 6 Months by Union Govt Amid Corruption Case, High Court Informed
DRDO MSMEs Defence
DRDO Conclave Empowers MSMEs to Strengthen Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
Decoding Digital Dangers: Insights from IPS Shikha Goel on Cyber Crimes
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
Social Media
IAS Sakshi Sawhney Amritsar DC
Punjab Floods: IAS Sakshi Sawhney’s Emotional Appeal to Elderly Man Wins Hearts, Video of Humanity Goes Viral
Viral Video Captures Emotional Moment as Amritsar DC Shows Sensitivity and Courage Amid Relief Effor...
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Pilibhit Primary school
Transforming Education in UP’s Pilibhit: How This IAS Officer Changed 90,000+ Kids’ Lives
Former IAS Officer & Now Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju
Former IAS Officer and Politician Jagmohan Singh Raju Demands Inquiry into Punjab IAS & IPS Officers’ Alleged Misconduct
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT