Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Saturday announced an order for the Union territory, which would halt free rice distribution to the poor if their villages are not free of open defecation and garbage.

"Linked free rice distribution to respective constituency MLAs and commune commissioners certifying villages 'open defecation free' and of strewn garbage and plastic. Free rice reaches out to more than half of the population, primarily in rural areas. This is the learning of the morning round today," Bedi wrote on Twitter, sharing images along with the announcement.

 

 

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

Bedi also shared a press release saying free rice distribution for the poor would be halted from 31 May if their villages fail to have a "clean certificate" from the government, proving they are free from open defecation and garbage. Indian Express journalist Arun Janardhanan shared the release on Twitter.:

Puducherry Lt. Guv @thekiranbedi orders to stop free rice distribution for poor people from May 31st if their villages fails to have a Clean Certificate from the Govt proving they are free from open defecation and garbage. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/K47UKthi8W

— Arun Janardhanan (@arunjei) April 28, 2018

Chief Minister V Narayanswamy said that Bedi was "meddling with the fundamental rights" of Puducherry's residents.