No interference in state affairs 8212; Shastri

LUCKNOW, NOV 24: Vishnu Kant Shastri, who took over as the Uttar Pradesh Governor here today, made it clear that he would not unnecessar...

LUCKNOW, NOV 24: Vishnu Kant Shastri, who took over as the Uttar Pradesh Governor here today, made it clear that he would not 8220;unnecessarily8221; interfere in the state government8217;s day-to-day functioning. 8220;As a custodian of the Constitution, I will be vigilant against any violators,8221; he said.

Expressing happiness on his appointment in a state which which plays a crucial role in national politics, Shastri said that he was prepared to take on any challenge thrown at him.

His predecessor Suraj Bhan was mired in controversy for promoting his Dalit agenda and interfering in state government8217;s functioning. Bhan wanted seniorgovernment officials to brief him on the state8217;s law and order situation andfunctioning of other departments, which caused tension between the stategovernment and Raj Bhavan during Bhan8217;s tenure.

Political observers feel that Bhan 8212; instead of co-operating with the state government in carrying out developmental works and keeping off routine affairs 8212; always created problems. Even before he left for Simla his next assignment is as Himachal Pradesh Governor, Bhan had expressed his displeasure to the Chief Minister Rajnath Singh over entrusting additional charge of Coordination Seceretary Raj Bhawan to G.B. Patnaik, who he had earlier transferred. Bhan had deputed Dilip Singh, a Haryana cadre officer, for the job.

Shastri, who has authored many books, said he would try to solve problems of the state8217;s universities. As Chancellor, Shastri said, he would help the universities in formulating policies and not interfere in their functioning.

Asked whether he would ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh shakhas being run in Lucknow University, Shastri said this was not his duty and added: 8220;It is up to the University to allow or ban such shakhas.8221; Incidentally, Shastri has been associated with RSS since 1944.

The new Governor 8212; who retired as a Calcutta University professor in 1994 8212; said he was against the Governor8217;s quota in admissions to colleges. Admissions should be made, save in exceptional cases, purely be on the basis of merit, except for sportsmen/women or children of the martyrs, he said.

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Shastri, who has served as BJP Rajya Sabha member from 1992 to 1998 from UP, assured that there would be no discrimination on the basis of political affiliations, castes and religions. He also favoured the raising of the Governor8217;s Fund which is at present only Rs 10 lakh. 8220;If a MP can get Rs 2 crore from MPs8217; Fund and an MLA Rs 75 lakh, then why not the Governor?8221; he asked.