Kiran Bedi draws flak over 'no toilet, no free rice' order; recalls statement later

On Saturday Kiran Bedi had linked the free rice scheme to sanitation and had said that villages will not get free rice if not made open -defecation free.

Image: Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi/ PTI-File Photo

New Delhi: Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi triggered a huge row with her announcement on Saturday that the administration's free rice distribution scheme would be applicable only if the village is open-defecation free and free of strewn garbage and plastics. On Saturday Kiran Bedi tweeted: “Linked Free Rice distribution to respective constituency MLAs & Commune Commisioners Certifying villages open defecation free and of strewn garbage and plastic.” She shared pictures of filthy streets with heaps of garbage scattered claiming it was what she observed on on e of her mprning rounds. She wrote: “Free Rice reaches out to more than half d population primarily in rural areas. This is d learning of morning round today.”

Linked Free Rice distribution to respective constituency MLAs & Commune Commisioners Certifying villages open defecation free and of strewn garbage and plastic. Free Rice reaches out to more than half d population primarily in rural areas This is d learning of morning round today pic.twitter.com/CCIaVAGdDT

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) April 28, 2018

As per reports, Bedi had also set a deadline of May 31 for villages to clean up. The villages that would succeed would qualify for the free-rice distribution scheme. However as her statement backfired, Bedi later issued clarification saying she was withholding her communication. She later said in a tweet: “In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018, I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.”

In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018, I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.Tom shall b my 156, weekend round.

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) April 28, 2018

Condemning Bedi’s earlier statement CM of Puducherry, V Narayanasamy, tweeted: “Dr.Kiran Bedi's recent observation at village rural people that they do not get rice if they don't keep the village clean is totally against the spirit of National Food Security bill which was passed by the Parliament. Her observation is totally unwarranted & unnecessary.” He further said: “It is against the spirit of food security act. It is violating the fundamental rights of people. It clearly shows that Dr.Kiran Bedi doesn't have administrative capacity & violating all the norms of the administrator. It is highly condemnable.”

Dr.Kiran Bedi's recent observation at village rural people that they do not get rice if they don't keep the village clean is totally against the spirit of National Food Security bill which was passed by the Parliament. Her observation is totally unwarranted & unnecessary.

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) April 28, 2018

It is against the spirit of food security act. It is violating the fundamental rights of people. It clearly shows that Dr.Kiran Bedi doesn't have administrative capacity & violating all the norms of the administrator. It is highly condemnable.

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) April 28, 2018

Under the rice scheme, the Puducherry administration gives 20 kg of rice for those below the poverty line and 10 kg for those above the poverty line. Taking a dig at the Lt. Governors installed by BJP, the AAP later said that they are behaving like BJP agents since 2014. PTI quoted AAP in its report “the absurd and unjustified diktat by the BJP-appointed LG of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi, to suspend free rice distribution to the poor in villages is a clear proof of how decisions of elected governments not belonging to BJP are being brazenly overturned in gross misuse of Constitutional positions," the AAP said.