In his New Year message to the Governors through video conferencing from Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mukherjee said in our parliamentary democracy, the Governors are the constitutional heads of their respective states.
“They must perform their duties and obligations within the framework of the Constitution. In other words, they must play their assigned role while respecting the distinct authority and responsibility vested in each of the three organs of the state, that is, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature,” the President said.
He said Governors, with their wisdom, experience and moral authority, must help create a harmonious relationship between the Centre and the states which will be in the best interest of the state and its people.
The President asked the Governors use their astute leadership, power of persuasion and balancing influence with the Chief Ministers to help in the transformative process using the Centre’s flagship programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart City Mission, Digital India, Make in India, Skilling India, and the Start-up India initiatives.
“Each of these programmes have a specific role in the making of a new India where there would be greater opportunities for its citizens especially the youth,” he said.
The President asked the Governors to use their roles as Visitors of the Universities to motivate them to become institutions, to become smart campuses.
“Through technology demonstration, they can also become the nucleus for inclusive development in their regions. You can impress upon these institutes to adopt at least five villages which they can help transform into model villages,” he said.
PTI