Former Union minister Manoj Sinha was on Friday sworn in as the new lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the first political leader to take charge of the union territory.
The 61-year-old, who is known for his connect with people, particularly in rural areas, was administered the oath of office by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal in Raj Bhavan, at the foothills of the Zaberwan range.
The warrant of appointment of Sinha, was read out by J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.
Sinha’s appointment as LG is considered as a move meant to resume the political process in J&K.
A three-time Member of Parliament, Sinha had also served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications and Minister of State for Railways in the first term of the Narendra Modi government.
Sinha succeeds former IAS officer Girish Chandra Murmu, who resigned on Wednesday night and was appointed Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Thursday.
Advisors to the previous lieutenant governors, including Farooq Khan and Baseer Khan, as well as senior bureaucrats and policemen were present at the simple function.
Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmed Laway, BJP Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore Sharma and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party leaders Ghulam Hasan Mir were also present. TNS/ PTI
