Prabha Rau takes over as HP Governor

Shimla, Jul 19 (UNI) Ms Prabha Rau was today sworn in as the seventeenth regular and third women Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

H P Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla administered the oath of office to Ms Rau at a simple but an impressive ceremony held at Raj Bhawan here.

State Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop read out the warrant of appointment issued by President, appointing Ms Rau as HP Governor.

Ms Rau also inspected a guard of honour on the occasion.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, his cabinet colleagues, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, former HPCC chief Viplove Thakur, HPCC Chief Kaul Singh Thakur, Lokayukta Bhawani Singh and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

She would replace Mr VS Kokje who was continuing in office after completion of five-year term on May seven last.

Mr Kokje, who was appointed Governor on May 8, 2003 after the expiry of term of Mr Suraj Bhan, was the only incumbent after the first Governor S Chakravarty to complete full term in Raj Bhawan.

Mr Chakravarti remained governor for more than six years from January 25, 1971 to February 16,1977 and was replaced by Mr A A Khan, who was transferred as Governor of Punjab in August 1981.

Mr Ashok Nath Banerjee who succeeded Mr Khan was also transferred to Karnataka in the mid-term and Mr Hoksie Sema had replaced him.

Mr Sema also resigned to rejoin active politics and Mr R K S Gandhi was appointed Governor in his place in March 1986.

After the change of guards at the Centre in 1989, Mr Gandhi resigned in February 1990 and Janta Dal leader Varinder Verma took over as Governor.

His term was also cut short as he was made to resign after the dismissal of BJP government in December 1992.

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