TN Governor justifies review meet, says will repeat it

Chennai, Nov 20 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday said that his recent review meeting with officials of Coimbatore district was within the framework of the Constitution and he would continue to hold such meetings.

Responding to criticism that the meeting was political agenda and an action at the behest of the Central government, a statement by the Governor's Principal Secretary said that Purohit had sought legal opinion to have a proper examination of his action from legal and Constitutional perspectives.

"Equipped with the detailed opinion, Thiru Purohit asserts that none of his actions in seeking a meeting with the District officials in Coimbatore amounts to any illegality or unconstitutionality.

"There was no attempt to short-circuit the official channels or force a meeting," the statement said.

The statement added that Purohit, when he was the Governor of Assam, had similar meetings with the officials of various districts there which were appreciated.

"While conducting such meetings, the Governor never violated any law or the Constitution," the Raj Bhavan statement said.

Such meetings enabled Purohit to get first-hand knowledge of the development needs and the problems faced by people at the grass root level which in turn facilitated him to reflect the same to the Central government in getting additional funds to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people, the statement said.

"Thiru Purohit will continue such efforts in Tamil Nadu and also to fulfil his responsibilities as envisaged in the Oath he had taken to devote himself in the service and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu," statement said.

According to the statement, the Constitution at no place stop the Governor from seeking such meetings with district officials.

"In our Constitution, there is no bar on the Governor's action in seeking an appropriate connect with the people of the State to be in their service and enhance their well-being," the statement said.

During his maiden visit to Coimbatore last week, Purohit undertook a review meeting in which the Coimbatore Collector, Police Commissioner and Corporation Commissioner and other top officials participated.

The meeting had triggered controversy with opposition parties accusing him of stepping on the toes of the elected government, harming state autonomy.

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