Governor is a mentor, guide to state govt and an important link in federal structure: Prez Kovind
New Delhi, June 4: The Governor is a mentor and guide to the state government and an important link in the federal structure. This was said by President Ram Nath Kovind during his address after inaugurating the two-day conference of Governors and Lt. Governors that commenced on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. This is the 49th such Conference held in Rashtrapati Bhavan and the second Conference presided over by President Kovind.
In his opening address, President Ram Nath Kovind said that as per the Constitution, the post of Governor has an exalted place in the scheme of governance. “The Governor is a mentor and guide to the state government and an important link in the federal structure. The people of the state view the office of the Governor and the Raj Bhavan as a fount of ideals and values,” he added.
President Ram Nath Kovind further added that there are approximately 100 million people in our country who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. “A majority of this population lives in regions that are covered under the Fifth and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Governors can help in the shaping of a roadmap for the betterment of lives of our fellow citizens, who have not benefited as much as expected from our development journey,” he noted.
The President also said that 69 percent of all universities in our country come under the purview of state governments. About 94 percent of students enrolled for higher education study in these universities. Governors are the Chancellors of most of these universities. “In their capacity as Chancellors of state universities, it is for them to provide the necessary impetus and inspiration to these institutions and to enhance the level of scholarship. With the instruments of their office and with their rich experience in public life, Governors are ideally equipped for this responsibility,” he added.
The President, in the end, said that the Governors can help ensure that admissions of students and appointments of teachers in state universities are completed well in time and in a transparent manner. “They can also help ensure that examinations, declaration of results and convocations take place as scheduled. It is for them to inspire state universities to maintain this discipline and integrity,” he concluded.
| Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addresses the opening session of 49th Governors' Conference: PM Modi spoke at length about how Governors could leverage their experience in different walks of life so that people derive maximum benefit of various central development schemes and initiatives. He said the institution of Governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and Constitutional framework of our country. He said Governors of States with significant tribal population can help in ensuring that the tribal communities benefit from Government initiatives in fields such as education, sports and financial inclusion. He said the tribal communities had played a key role in the freedom struggle, and this should be recognized and recorded for posterity through avenues such as digital museums. The Prime Minister noted that Governors are also Chancellors of Universities. He said that International Yoga Day on June 21st can be utilized as an opportunity to generate greater awareness about Yoga among the youth. Similarly, he emphasized that Universities can also become the focal point of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Prime Minister mentioned some key themes of development such as the National Nutrition Mission, electrification of villages and development parameters in aspirational districts. He suggested that Governors could also visit a few recently electrified villages to witness first-hand the benefits of electrification. He said that during the recent Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from 14th April, seven key schemes of the Government were implemented fully in over 16000 villages. He said that these villages have been freed from seven problems through Jan Bhagidaari. He said Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is now being extended to 65000 more villages, with a target date of 15th August. The Prime Minister suggested that planning for the 50th Governors' Conference next year should begin immediately. This effort should focus on making this annual event even more productive. |
BACKGROUND:
The two-day 2018 Conference will discuss important thematic issues in various sessions which include briefings and presentations on flagship programmes of the Government of India and on internal security; higher education in state universities and skill development for employability; steps taken on the report of Committee of Governors, constituted during the 48th Conference of Governors; and commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. A special session on Union Territories will also be held on June 5, 2018, at which Lt. Governors/Administrators of Union Territories will discuss status of implementation of various flagship programmes.
Apart from the Governors and Lt. Governors of all States and Union Territories the Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers of Home Affairs, External Affairs; Human Resource Development, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Minster of State (I/C) of Ministry of Culture and Vice Chairman and CEO of NITI Aayog and other senior officials from various Ministries are participating in the Conference.