ANDALIB AKHTER / NEW DELHI

The two-day Conference of Governors concluded at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu lauded the collective efforts of the Governors to have comprehensive discussions in the spirit of mutual learning. In her closing remarks, she appreciated that various groups of Governors came out with their valuable ideas and suggestions to improve the functioning of their office as well as for the welfare of people. She expressed confidence that these suggestions will be implemented. The President said that the development of the country depends on the inclusive and accelerated development of the states and all states must move forward by learning from each other’s best practices and experiences.

President Droupadi Murmu said that in order to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of public welfare programmes, the government has laid great emphasis on last-mile delivery and this has improved the lives of common citizens. She urged the Governors to ensure that the benefits of all public welfare programmes reach every eligible person so that the goal of inclusive development can be achieved in the true sense. The President said that the ambience of the Raj Bhavans should reflect the Indian ethos and the Governors should endeavour to increase the connection of common people with the Raj Bhavans. The President said that the Governors are responsible for setting an ideal example for the citizens and if they set examples in important areas, it will not only become their identity but also guide the people.

Addressing the concluding session, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the two-day conference had left an indelible imprint on the minds of all participants who discussed important issues in great detail. He said that the Governors should not hesitate to seek information and maintain sustained communication with the respective state governments for effective functioning.

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Governors to evolve an ideal model of governance in Raj Bhavans. He said that there should be a consistent attempt to train the staff for the effective functioning of the Raj Bhavans. He also urged the Governors to embrace technology in their functioning and promote digitisation. The Prime Minister particularly called for tapping the strength of alumni networks of educational institutions and appealed to them to develop a mass campaign to make educational campuses free of drugs. He also referred to natural farming as suggested by the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, and urged the other Governors to emulate the model of natural farming in the other Raj Bhavans and make their premises free of chemicals. Mr Modi said that the Raj Bhavans should become a source of motivation and inspiration for others.

After the perusal of all the reports presented by the groups of Governors, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appreciated their efforts and pointed out that all actionable points would be taken up to make the functioning of the Governors and the Raj Bhavans more effective.