Governors can provide a new dimension to the development of states by communicating with legislators, says President Kovind
Amidst allegations by chief ministers of Opposition-ruled states of interference by Governors in administrative issues, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday asked Governors to establish direct communication channels with legislators, university chancellors and vice-chancellors, academicians and social workers in their states.
Addressing a two-day conference of Governors and Lt Governors of states and Union Territories, the President said their obligation to commit themselves to the welfare of the people was more pronounced in the "current paradigm of cooperative federalism".
"Governors can provide a new dimension to the development of states by communicating with legislators," he said.
PM Narendra Modi also addressed Governors, asking them to encourage their states, youth and university network to adopt one sport (other than cricket) and build excellence.
In his opening address at the conference, attended by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Modi, Kovind said Governors should inspire and connect all relevant stakeholders in their respective states for the creation of a New India that is free of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and unhygienic conditions.
The assertion has come in the backdrop of Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Puducherry's Kiran Bedi having differences of opinion in administrative matters with their chief ministers.
The conference is being attended by 27 Governors and three Lt Governors. The administrators of the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as well as of Lakshadweep are also participating as special invitees.
On the first day of the conference, two Union Ministers, Prakash Javadekar and Dharmendra Pradhan, gave presentations, which ensued into a discussion on the themes of 'Higher Education in States' and 'Skill Development and Entrepreneurship - Making Youth Employable'. The agenda of the conference has been shaped by the over-arching national mission to achieve 'New India-2022'.
The Doyen of Governors or the senior most Governor at the Conference, ESL Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, spoke on the gamut of developmental challenges, ranging from energy and technology to health and sustainable development.
The first session was also addressed by PM Modi, who emphasised encouraging innovation not just in terms of new technology but also finding solutions to long-standing problems. He encouraged Governors to interact at length with students and teachers.
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