Swearing-in of Lt-Governors today

Ehsan Fazili

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Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 30

Finally, the stage is set for swearing-in ceremonies of Lt -Governors (L-Gs) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday. The two Union Territories s would start functioning independently nearly three months after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two UTs on August 5.

The Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Geeta Mittal, would administer an oath of office to the two L-Gs in separate events in Srinagar and Leh, official sources said.

The L-G of Ladakh, Radha Krishna Mathur, would be sworn-in at Leh first at 9 am, while LG of J&K, Girish Chandra Murmur ,would take oath at the Srinagar Raj Bhavan at 12.45 pm, the official sources said. There is no information about the list of invitees and the officials who would attend the oath ceremony.

The entire political leadership, including three former Chief Ministers, Farooq Abdullah, who is also an incumbent MP from Srinagar, Omar Abdullah (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) continue to remain under detention post-abrogation of Article 370.

Earlier in the day, L-G designate, Girish Chandra Murmur, was received at the Srinagar airport by the J&K Governor’s Adviser, Farooq Khan, and State Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, among others.

J&K hogged the headlines after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced abrogation of Article 370 in Raya Sabha on August 5. Landline phones, mobile and Internet services were blocked hours before the major announcement. While landlines and post-paid mobile services have been restored in phases, the Internet blockade continues to be in place.

L-G Radha Krishna Mathur gets warm welcome in Leh

Lt-Governor of Union Territory Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur, who arrived today was given a a warm welcome at the Khushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport, Leh. He was received by members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, leaders of political parties and the Ladakh Affairs Commissioner Secretary Rigzin Samphel-led officials of Ladakh Division.

Govt hastens to create posts for Ladakh UT

• “Posts for at least 12 departments have been approved by the Governor’s office and more approvals are expected in the next few days,” said a Raj Bhavan official.
• The Governor-led State Administrative Council in July created a separate administrative division for Ladakh, creating 495 posts in various categories.