Governor (Vishwamitra)

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The governors of the Vishwamitran states are the representatives of Rashtradhyaksh, the federal monarch, in each of six states of Vishwamitra. The governors are the vice-regal representatives and serve as deputy head of state and nominal executive of the states and share their duties and functions with the respective Rajpramukhs who are the constituent hereditary and executive monarchs of the states. The governors perform ceremonial and constitutional duties as are directed to them by the Rashtradhyaksh or by the Rajpramukh of the respective state. They are entirely responsible to the federal monarch and the union government. In practice, the governors also discharge the duties of the head of the state in the absence or interim incapacity of the Rajpramukh of the state.

Origin

The position of governors and lieutenant governors were first created on 18 September 2016 following the creation of the states of North Guwahati (now Uttaranchal) and South Guwahati (now Beltola) and the union territory of Central Guwahati (now state of Madhya Prant). The position of governors were largely ceremonial and nominal until the abolition of the position of Chief Minister in July 2017 when the executive charge of the administration was transferred to the governors-in-charge.

The position of the governor has been undergone several changes as deemed by the union government. The position was first created in September 2016 with the formal creation of the states and federal system of government by then government of Prime Minister Varuna Sriraya. At the time of its creation, the position of the governor of states and lieutenant governors were that of the nominal head of the territory while the real and executive power still continued with the union government and the chief ministers of the respective states. Soon, the position of the chief ministers were abolished and the governor became the executive power in the administration of the state and served as the principal representative of the President in the respective state. Following the Indian system, few or no governors were local to the state that they were appointed to. The governors of the states had similar powers and functions at the state level as those of the President at the federal level. The governors were the heads of the states, while the lieutenant governors served as the heads of the union territories.

The first governors of the respective states are:

The governors played prominent role in the administration of the states including discharging day-to-day affairs of the state, appointment of chief ministers (if the position existed), appointment of other officials, attending ceremonial functions, etc. The position of the state governors ceased to exist in June 2020 following the abolition of the republic and the nation's transition to become a federal monarchy. The role of the governors were transferred to the provincial monarchs.

Re-creation

The position of a state governor for re-created for the first time since the abolition of the positions on 11 September 2021 under provisions of the Constitution to replace the monarchy in Basistha. Under special provisions of the constitution, the Conference of Rulers shall have the power to replace the monarchy in Basistha with an appointed governor to serve as a non-royal head of state carrying out similar functions as the rulers of the other states except for duties related to the royalty and the religion. Subsequently, the position of the Rajyapal of Basistha was created on 11 September 2021 and Ștefan Marius Snagoveanu was appointed as the first office-holder and is till date the only person to serve on the position. He served as the state governor until resigning on 17 March 2022 and was succeeded by Anoushkaa Patranabish who was installed as the Rajpramukh of Basistha after the Conference of Rulers decided to re-establish the monarchy in the state.

The positions of the governors as vice-regal representatives of the Rashtradhyaksh was created under the provisions of the Governorship Act of 2023 which was passed by the Lok Sabha and received royal assent on 17 March 2023. The act provides for the governors to be vice-regal representatives appointed by the federal head of state on the advice of the federal government and his advisors. The governors act as deputy to the hereditary rulers of the states and serve on their behalf in case of vacancy or absence. They act as a bridge of communication between the federal and the state governments.

Tenure, protocol, and appointment

Tenure

In the republican period, the governors and lieutenant governors remained in office at the pleasure of the President and did not hold for any fixed tenure. They may resign before the completion of their assignment by addressing a letter to the President.

Following the re-establishment of the positions, the governors serve in office at the pleasure of the Rashtradhyaksh who has the power to recall, remove and transfer the governors. However, they may resign from their assignments by addressing a letter to the Rashtradhyaksh or the Uparashtradhyaksh. There is no fixed tenure for the governors.

Protocol

The governors of the state are placed at No. 8 in the order of precedence ranking immediately after the Deputy Prime Minister and above the heirs to the state thrones.

Appointment

The governors are appointed at the pleasure of the Rashtradhyaksh. Conventionally, the Rashtradhyaksh is required to consult the Uparashtradhyaksh, Prime Minister, the members of the federal government and the members of the privy council prior to appoint the governors.

Other uses

  • The head of the federal bank which existed in 2016 was titled the "Governor of the Federal Bank" and the position was held by a civil servant of the government.
  • Following the creation of cities in the states in July 2020, the position of the officer administering the city was known as a governor. Later, in December the same year, the position of the governors of the cities was placed by that of the mayors. The governors discharged the same functions of the mayors.
  • The heads of the overseas territories were known as the governors until their title was changed to that of the Administrators.

Current state governors

The following is a table of Governor of each state:

State Governor From Term length Past
 Basistha Ankurjyoti Thakuria 12 August 2023 230 days List
 Beltola Arnab Deka 5 November 2023 145 days List
 Kamrupa Bhargab Jyoti Medhi 12 August 2023 230 days List
 Madhya Prant Reshmi Hazarika 5 November 2023 145 days List
 Purvanchal Rajdeep Deka 5 November 2023 145 days List
 Uttaranchal Princess Bishakha of Purvanchal 5 November 2023 145 days List

See also