Gulab Chand Kataria sworn in as 31st Assam Governor

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Gulab Chand Kataria took oath as the 31st Governor of Assam in a solemn swearing-in-ceremony held at Srimanta Sankaradeva International Kalakshetra in Guwahati today. Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, Justice Sandeep Mehta, administered the oath of office to the new Governor.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, First Lady of Assam Anita Kataria, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale, other State Cabinet ministers, BTC CEM Promod Boro, several MPs of Assam, senior civil and police bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary of Assam Paban Kumar Barthakur, and many others were present on the august occasion.

Kataria arrived at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakhetra complex, where the Chief Minister received him. He also received a salute from the Assam Police.

Before the swearing-in-ceremony, Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Barthakur read out the warrant of appointment of the new Governor issued by the President of India. The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court administered the oath of office to the new Governor.

After the oath-taking ceremony, the Governor said in a statement, “It is an honour to take the oath of office of the Governor of a beautiful state like Assam at a place named after the greatest Vaishnavite Saint Srimanta Sankardev, who is greatly responsible for the socio-cultural and spiritual opulence of Assam. I have sworn to serve the ideals of the Indian Constitution and dedicate my life to serving and promoting the interests of the people of Assam. I will certainly carry out my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution with utmost honesty and sincerity. I hope the people of the State will render their maximum support to the office of the Governor to aid the overall growth of the state. I convey my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for choosing me for this cardinal position to serve the people of Assam.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted after the swearing-in ceremony, “Glad to attend the swearing-in of Shri Gulab Chand Kataria ji as Assam’s 31st Governor. Hon’ble Kataria ji brings with him a wealth of experience that will hold us in good stead. Looking forward to his wisdom and guidance in helping us take Assam to greater heights of glory.”

Gulab Chand Kataria hails from Udaipur, Rajasthan. He was the former Home Minister of Rajasthan and a leader of the opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly prior to his appointment as the governor.

Some of the notable achievements credited to him include being the Home Minister in the Government of Rajasthan from 31 May 2004 to 8 December 2008 and again from 2015 to 2018. He was a senior leader of the BJP from Rajasthan and was also a member of the central working committee of the party. He hails from Udaipur and has represented it in the 9th Lok Sabha, from 1989 to 1991.

He was also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from 24th August 2002 to December 2003, again from 21st February 2013 to 10th December 2013, and from 17th January 2019 to 2023 till his appointment as the Governor.

Kataria also served as the Education Minister of the State from 1993 to 1998. He also served as Public Works Department Minister from te from 1993 to 1998. He also served as Public Works Department Minister from December 8, 2003, to May 30, 2004, and Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Disaster Management, and Relief Department Minister from 2013 to 2015.

Gulab Chand Kataria was born to late Hukmi Chand Kataria and Late Lahari Bai on October 13, 1944. He did his master’s in geography at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He also studied law at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He also received the Excellent Teacher Award by Jiwanmal Nahata Memorial Trust, New Delhi on September 5, 2006.

Before taking charge as the Governor of the State he visited Kamakhya Temple and offered puja to goddess Kamakhya for the welfare of all sections of the people of the State.

Also Read:   Raj Bhavan accords warm welcome to Governor designate Gulab Chand Kataria

Also Watch: