Badnore takes charge as Punjab governor

CHANDIGARH: VP Singh Badnore took charge as Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator at Punjab Raj Bhawan here on Monday. Punjab and Haryana high court chief justice Shiavax Jal Vazifdar administered him the oath of governor’s office.

Addressing the media on the occasion, Badnore called for zero tolerance to drug abuse. “Let us resolve to promote a healthier society just as the Prime Minister stressed on creating a healthy India through yoga and sports activities,” he said. He said while Ludhiana had been selected under Smart City project, he will pursue the cases of Amritsar and Jalandhar as well.

Badnore said development required regular stocktaking to assess the distance covered, for which he would seek people’s feedback. Earlier, Punjab chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal read out the warrants of appointment. Punjab chief minister, who sat next to Badnore, congratulated the new governor.

Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Rajiv Partap Rudy, and Maneka Gandhi; Vidhan Sabha speaker Charanjit Singh Attwal; Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal; Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna; state Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh, and state ministers Bikramjit Singh Majithia and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema; and MLA Jagmohan Singh Kang were present.