Shivraj Patil takes oath as UT Administrator

Former Union home minister and senior Congress leader Shivraj V Patil was sworn in as the Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator on Friday. Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal administered the oath of office and secrecy to Patil at the Punjab Raj Bhawan. Later, he signed separate charge reports, both as Punjab Governor and the Administrator of Union Territory, Chandigarh.

Accompanied by Mudgal, the Governor-designate arrived at a special pandal in a ceremonial procession and took salute from the Punjab Armed Police. The Punjab Police Band played the National Anthem as the National Flag was hoisted. Later, the Governor inspected the Guard of Honour.

Addressing the media after the oath-taking ceremony, Patil said he was happy to be in Punjab and Chandigarh. Heaping praises on Punjab, he said: "As far as agriculture is concerned, it is among the top states. The state has very good institutions and its people are very enterprising."

He stressed that he had come to work with the people and the government with a view to create a cooperative atmosphere, focussing on the positive attitudes. Patil took up the new charge in the presence of nearly 80 guests, including 15 of his family members. Among them were a few Congress MLAs from Maharashtra, his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Dr Archana Patil and their two daughters.

While the Punjab Congress was present in full strength, former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh was conspicuous by his absence. Congress leaders present on the occasion were Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Punjab Congress president and MP Mohinder Kaypee, Congress MLAs Jassi Khangura, Kewal Dhillon, O P Soni and Balbir Sidhu among others. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia were present as well.

... contd.

ALSO READ

‘Why can’t police admit its mistake... they should apologise to her 2 sons’

High Court slams UT Police for letting accident victim lie on road for 2 hours

Many projects hanging fire due to opposition from Bansal, kin

326 EWS seats vacant in 35 schools