Shimla: Former BJP Rajyasabha member Shiv Pratap Shukla took over as 29th Governor of Himachal Pradesh replacing Rajinder Vishavnath Arhlekar who was transferred as Guv of Bihar, here on Saturday.
Mr Shukla was administered oath of office and Secrecy by Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh Justice Sabina in a simple but impressive ceremony held at Raj Bhawan here Saturday.
Shiv Pratap Shukla took the oath in Sanskrit.Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Lady Governor Smt. Janki Shukla were also present on the occasion.The Governor was also given an impressive Guard of Honour on the occasion. Later, while interacting with the representatives of the media, the Governor said it was a higher post of the constitution and he would work in coordination with the State Government.
Expressing gratitude toward the President of India for his appointment as Governor of Himachal Pradesh, the Governor said that he would work in accordance with the Constitution. He said he would complete the works started by the previous governors. He said Himachal Pradesh is a leading state in the field of education and now he would contribute towards quality education.
The new governor said he would travel most of the time by road only in H.P. so that he could know the problems of the people and understand Himachal more closely. He said Sanskrit is the mother of all languages and has taken this ritual forward by taking oath in ‘Devbhasha’ in Devbhoomi. He said he would also work for the skill development in the state so that the younger generation could be benefitted.He expressed his concern over the growing illegal trade of drugs in Himachal Pradesh and said this evil was rapidly taking our young generation, the future of the country, in its grip. “The saddest situation is that today drugs have reached even in remote areas, which needs to be stopped”, said Shukla.
Governor said being the members of upper house of Parliament he found that members of Himachal Pradesh often raised this issue. He also sought assistance of media person to create awareness on the drug menace. ‘I would also appeal for the cooperation of the media so that they become partners in my efforts in this direction.” He said Law and Police Administration work at their own level but there was a need to make society aware. He added that it would be his endeavour to ensure the participation of every person by making the campaign of de-addiction more widespread through educational institutions and social organizations.
“Himachal is the land of gods and there should be no place for drugs here. Mr. Shukla said he was impressed by the hospitality of the people of the state.In the early morning, the Governor before taking the Oath performed Yajana along with family members.He said like former Guv he would carry forward the tasks taken as this office and he would expect Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to extend cooperation to his office to emphasize on the tasks and works.
New Governor also said he would also like to realise the mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched Tuberculosis elimination program in the country.He said he would also wanted to achieve the target of this communicable disease from the state. He said along with Administrative Officer he would also visit the places where his Services would be required to achieve above objectives.Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena read out the warrant of appointment.Secretary to the Governor Rajesh Sharma obtained the signature of the Governor on the charge certificate.Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister, Kuldeep Pathania, Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Jai Ram Thakur, Leader of Opposition, Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Industries Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, Horticulture Minister, Rohit Thakur, Education Minister, Anirudh Singh, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, PWD Minister, Judges of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Rajeev Shukla, MP and Incharge State Congress, Tajinder Singh Bittu Co-incharge of State Congress, Pratibha Singh, MP and State Congress President, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor, IT and Innovation to Chief Minister, Gokul Butail, MLAs, Justice P.S. Rana, Chairmen, Human Right Commission, R.D. Dhiman, State Information Commissioner, Rameshwar Singh Thakur, Chairmen, Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, DGP Sanjay Kundu, Lt General S.S. Mehal, GoC-in-C, ARTARE, Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Members of various commissions, boards and corporations, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, senior officers of the police and civil and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
