The Hindu : Vajpayee for 'pro-active' role by Governors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 13, 2003

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Vajpayee for 'pro-active' role by Governors

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI JAN. 12. For the first time since Independence, a clear road-map has been drawn up to transform the country into a "developed India'' and all State Governors must play a "pro-active role'' with a "total sense of partnership'' in this endeavour, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said today, addressing the concluding session of the two-day Governors' Conference at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

In the existing constitutional set-up, it was possible for the Governors to become "full-fledged" participants in the development process. Resources would not be a constraint — instead, what was needed was effective and purposeful implementation of development projects, Mr. Vajpayee said.

Making the country a developed India by 2020 has been one of the ideas repeatedly articulated by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. And now, it seems the Prime Minister has taken it up, while pointing out that the goal has found a mention in the Tenth Plan document.

`Year of action'

Dr. Kalam made a computer presentation today on his vision of a developed India and wanted 2003 to be a "year of action'' towards achieving that goal.

A discussion followed in which the Governors said that much would depend on the policies being efficiently implemented on the ground. Transparency in governance, a forward-looking youth policy, employment generation schemes and meaningful development schemes were some aspects which they emphasised.

Over the two days, several important issues were discussed — from unemployment, insurgency, the role of universities, terrorism, Centre-State relations and illegal immigration to problems in the criminal justice system. Twenty-eight Governors and two Lieutenant Governors participated in the discussions, which were also attended by the Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and several Cabinet Ministers.

Apparently, many Governors today called for Central legislation, clearly defining their role as Chancellors of universities, a post occupied by them by virtue of their office and normally seen as decorative. The view was that a university was a place where opportunity was offered to fire the imagination of the youth with the vision of a developed India. The fact that some of them asked for legislation on this demonstrated that they wanted to play an active role in these institutes of higher learning.

The Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, responded rather guardedly by saying that the Government would take measures in this regard, but it would have to be done "without affecting the autonomous functioning of universities.''

Mr. Shekhawat expressed concern over population explosion and the PDS. He was also worried about the collapse of the criminal justice system as a result of the piling up of cases and delay in the delivery of justice.

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