Rajasekharan sworn-in as new Mizoram Governor
Aizawl, May 29: Kummanam Rajasekharan, who was the BJP's Kerala unit chief and a RSS activist, was on Tuesday sworn-in as the 23rd Governor of Mizoram.
Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh administered the oath of office to the new Governor at a simple ceremony in the Durbar hall of Raj Bhavan here.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, his cabinet colleagues, Chief Secretary Arvind Ray, leaders of various political parties, senior civil and police officials and other dignitaries were present in the swearing-in-ceremony.
President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Rajasekharan as the Governor of Mizoram, which has earned the dubious distinction of seeing ten governors since BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government came to power in May 2014.
He succeeded Lt. General Nirbhay Sharma (retd), whose tenure ended on Monday.
Rajasekharan began his political career as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist in the 1970s and became chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Ker unit in 2015.
Several organisations including Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) and People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) had opposed Rajasekharan's appointment.
These organisations in separate statements said that "he was not suitable for the Governor's post as he is an "active member of the RSS and was involved with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad".
"Posting a "political person" with an RSS background in could impact politics in Mizoram," the PRISM said in its statement.
Elections to the 40-seat assembly in the Christian-dominated Mizoram assembly would be held this year end.
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K’taka CM, DK Shivakumar meet Jal Shakti minister, seeks approval for water projects
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarmaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil on Thursday to seek approval for the Mekedatu and Upper Bhadra projects.
In the meeting, Siddarmaiah informed that Karnataka has the second largest dryland area in the country after Rajasthan. The irrigation projects taken up and being implemented in Karnataka have played a vital role in transforming agricultural landscape.
Siddarmaiah urged the Union minister to intervene in the matter and direct officials concerned to provide necessary clearances and approvals for the projects, according to the letter submitted to the Union minister.
The Mekedatu project, proposed near Kanakapura in Ramanagar district, aims to build 66 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) balancing reservoir. The project faces opposition from Tamil Nadu, a low riparian state, which claims it will obstruct the natural flow of Cauvery River water.
The Upper Bhadra project is designed to support irrigation in drought-prone regions of central Karnataka, covering districts like Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Davangere. The project's progress is hindered by the lack of funding and the delay in declaring it a 'national project'.
Both projects face significant challenges, including funding issues and inter-state disputes.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V Somanna and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
