Margaret Alva assumes additional charge as Gujarat Governor

GANDHINAGAR: Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva assumed additional charge as Gujarat Governor at a ceremony in Gandhinagar today evening.

Alva arrived at Town Hall in Gandhinagar with Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel, Assembly Speaker Vaju Vala and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya.

Gujarat government Chief Secretary Varesh Sinha read out the warrant of appointment by the President of India that she has been appointed as Gujarat Governor, in addition to her current charge as Rajasthan Governor.

Later, Chief Justice Bhattacharya administered the oath to Alva at the ceremony attended by several Gujarat ministers and top officers.

Alva has been appointed in place of former Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal, who had frosty relations with former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Beniwal was transferred to Mizoram in a reshuffle of Governors effected by the government yesterday.

During her interaction with reporters after the ceremony, Alva expressed happiness that Gujarat has a woman Chief Minister and issues that needed focus.

"It's a matter of great joy that Gujarat has a woman Chief Minister. I will come here whenever needed to contribute as Governor," Alva said.

"Our country is very vast and every state has its own set of problems. Gujarat is a developed state. However, like other parts of country, there are some areas where we need to focus, such as shortage of teachers. Another problem is doctors unwilling to serve in villages," she said.