New governor to assume office in public hall

Guwahati, Jul 3 (UNI) Assam Governor designate Shiv Charan Mathur will be the first person in the history of Assam to take oath of office in a public hall.

The former Rajasthan Chief Minister will be sworn in by Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Chief Justice of Gauhati High court.

Mr Mathur, expected to arrive here this afternoon, will be the first governor to take the oath of office outside the premises of the Raj Bhawan.

The 82-year-old Congress veteran opted for the public hall which can accommodate about 1000 guests. The small auditorium of the Raj Bhawan can handle just about 400 people.

A host of his relatives, aides and friends are expected from Rajasthan. He is replacing Lt Gen (retd) Ajay Singh.

Mr Mathur served as chief minister of Rajasthan on two occasions during the 1980s.

The Raj Bhawan has been decked up to welcome the new occupant.

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