Individual ministers' statements against Governor's office will invite action: Arif Mohammed Khan
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Amidst the ongoing tussle between the ruling LDF in Kerala and the Raj Bhavan over various issues, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday issued a stern warning that statements by any Left minister that lower dignity of his office would invite action including "withdrawal of pleasure."
Khan and the ruling Left front have been at loggerheads for some time over the signing of certain controversial legislations, like the Lok Ayukta and University Laws Amendment Bills, passed by the Kerala Assembly and appointments to the universities in the state.
Several Left ministers have been saying that the Governor is bound to act in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers and cannot hold on to the bills indefinitely without signing or sending them back.
Some Left leaders and ministers had alleged that Khan was creating a constitutional crisis in the state at the behest of the BJP and RSS and was trying to implement the policies of the latter in Kerala.
In the wake of all these harsh criticism against him, the Governor, on Twitter, said that while the chief minister and council of ministers have every right to advise him, statements of individual ministers that lower the dignity of the Governor's office can invite action.
"Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan said: "The CM and Council of Ministers have every right to advise Governor.But statements of individual ministers that lower the dignity of the office of the Governor, can invite action including withdrawal of pleasure": PRO, KeralaRajBhavan," his office tweeted.
This is the second unexpected move by Khan in the last few days.
A few days ago, as Chancellor of Universities in the state, he had issued an order for removal of the 15 members of the Senate of the Kerala University.
Khan had taken the action after his repeated directions to hold a senate meeting and provide a nominee of the senate for the selection committee went unheeded, sources in the Raj Bhavan had said.
The selection committee was to appoint a Vice-Chancellor, the sources had said.
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Jammu-Srinagar highway opens for one-way traffic, CM to review restoration work soon
Ramban/Jammu (PTI): One-way traffic has been restored on the arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway, five days after vehicular movement was suspended due to flash floods and mudslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.
Authorities allowed vehicles to move from Jammu towards Srinagar on Friday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit Ramban on Saturday to review the progress of work for the complete restoration of the highway and other infrastructure damaged due to the flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on April 20, officials said.
The highway was initially cleared on Wednesday to facilitate the movement of vehicles stranded on the damaged Ramban stretch, they said.
Severe damage at multiple locations had left thousands of passengers and tourists stranded, causing widespread travel disruptions along the vital route, they said.
Even as the vehicular movement resumed, many tourists expressed frustration over being stuck in long traffic jams for hours.
Congestion remained a major issue in Ramban district as authorities managed the phased movement of vehicles, the officials said.
They said efforts are underway to restore two-way traffic on the highway in the coming days.
