President: Governors must serve as guide to people, states

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

In his inaugural address at the 51st conference of the Governors and Lieutenant Governors (LGs) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here today, President Ram Nath Kovind asserted that Constitution makers had envisaged Governors as “friend, philosopher and guide” to the people and the state governments.

People connect must

It is necessary for you (Governors) to devote maximum time to your states and make lively connections with people. — Ram Nath Kovind, President

Asking the Governors and the LGs to devote maximum time to their states and make lively connections with the public, the President impressed upon them to remain committed to the people’s welfare.

“While discussing the responsibility of the Governors, our expert Constitution makers had expressed their opinion that the Governors will be friend, philosopher and guide to the general public and state governments,” the President said.

“To fulfil this commitment, it is necessary for you to give as much time as possible to your state and make lively connections with the people,” the President said in the conference, which was attended by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The President also praised the country’s fight against the Covid pandemic under the leadership of the Prime Minister and underlined the role of the Governors. “It is a matter of satisfaction for the participants of this conference that the Governors made active contribution to braving the pandemic.”

The Vice-President, in his address, urged the Governors and LGs to be proactive in overseeing the implementation of the Centre’s welfare programmes.

The Prime Minister said that the conference was a good beginning as the event took place against the backdrop of the deadliest pandemic in a century.