On Assembly session eve, Punjab CM, Guv visit holy city

Amritsar, August 31

Just two days ahead of the monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with their spouses paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar.

This was the Governor’s first visit to the holy city. He was to visit the Golden Temple after being sworn in on July 31, but the trip was cancelled due to bad weather.

As the CM and former Governor Banwarilal Purohit remained at loggerheads over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of state universities and his frequent tours of border districts, all eyes are on how Kataria would deal with Mann.

On August 13, the Governor chaired a meeting of all Administrative Secretaries of the state, which created “unease in the corridors of power at the Punjab Civil Secretariat”. Though Kataria did not reportedly say anything negative about the state government, he sought details about the status of various centrally sponsored schemes, besides asking how much funds have been utilised under those schemes by the departments headed by the Administrative Secretaries.

Kataria reportedly told the officers, “The review meetings regarding central development works and public welfare schemes will be held from time to time. I will act as a bridge between the Centre and the state.”

Interacting with mediapersons, the Governor said, “I am blessed to visit the holy city. The life and philosophy of Sikh Gurus has inspired the humanity for selfless service since ages. I have sought strength from the Almighty to discharge my duties for overall development of the state.”

He also paid tribute to martyrs at the Jallianwala Bagh and said the place would always inspire the younger generation.

The CM expressed hope that the state would immensely benefit from Kataria’s rich administrative experience. Mann envisioned that both of them would work within their own jurisdictions and ensure that Punjab scripts a new success story in every field.