New J&K lieutenant governor sets the agenda with focus on 'development by all means'

SRINAGAR: J&K's new lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha took charge on Friday by saying he had "no specific agenda " other than to "instill confidence in democracy among the aam janata, bring peace and ensure development by all means".

Calling J&K "India’s heaven and crown", the former Union minister said, "I have been given a chance to play a role here.

I met some officers here and they told me that in the past one year, there has been a lot of development in all sectors. I will take forward the same process of development with speed and vigour."

Sinha, seen as a surprise pick after GC Murmu's resignation as the Union Territory's first lieutenant governor, told reporters at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar that there would be "no disparity" in delivery of service. "Equal treatment to all is a priority. We will all work for the welfare of the people of J&K. I will be in touch with the media, too, besides the common people."

Sinha was administered the oath of office by chief justice Gita Mittal of the J&K high court. The 61-year-old has been a BJP Lok Sabha MP from UP's Ghazipur for three consecutive terms, besides being minister of state for railways and telecommunication in the first Narendra Modi government.

Sources said Sinha would chair a series of meetings with senior bureaucrats to get feedback on the work done so far.

His predecessor Murmu, who resigned on the first anniversary of the nullification of J&K's special status on Wednesday, has been appointed the new comptroller and auditor general of India.