Govt wants Governors to pro-actively share views on social media when states-Centre differ on policy issues

Another suggestion, it is learnt, flags the role of Governors in improving coordination between various Central agencies and organisations in the state so that they don’t work in silos. Raj Bhavan can help ensure cooperation between these organisations that could make a difference in key aspects of governance including generation of jobs, education, skilling, services and growth, according to the suggestion.

The two-day conference will be the first Conference of Governors to be presided over by Murmu. According to an official statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Governors of all States will attend the Conference. Also present will be the Vice President; the Prime Minister; Union Ministers of Home Affairs; Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Education; Tribal Affairs; Information and Broadcasting; Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Youth Affairs and Sports; Vice Chairman and CEO of NITI Aayog and other senior officials from PMO, Cabinet Secretariat, MHA and other Ministries.

According to the statement, the agenda of the conference includes implementation of three criminal laws; reforms in higher education and accreditation of universities; development of focus areas like tribal areas, aspirational districts. Governors are expected to deliberate on these in various breakaway groups and in the concluding session, these groups will make a presentation.

The Centre has also suggested that the Governors regularly hold open forums and roundtable discussions with community leaders, and engage directly with citizens, including reaching out to schools and hospitals.

The conference comes months after the Supreme Court, hearing a plea by the Punjab government, observed that “Governors also cannot be oblivious to the fact that they are not elected representatives of the people.”