Governors are agents of change: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described governors as inspirational “agents of change”, saying their catalysing influence can contribute significantly to the development of states.

Addressing the concluding session of the conference of governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Modi described the current lot of governors as among the most distinguished set as they included former chief justice of India, former chief ministers, a former cabinet minister, former speakers of assemblies, former Army officer and former bureaucrats.

Modi outlined the broad thrust of his government policies, which he described as oriented towards all-round economic growth, and sought the governors’ help to push them.

He said the government has moved away from the model of “one-size-fits-all” schemes, and is working towards cooperative, competitive federalism, through the NITI Aayog.

Modi highlighted recent governance initiatives of the Union government, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG subsidy, Digital India Mission, Make in India Mission, initiatives for skill development and elimination of outdated laws.

He said as governors were chancellors of universities, they should inspire youth and their families to work towards Swachh Bharat (Clean India) campaign.

Modi also asked governors to contribute in the implementation of important central schemes.

Referring to the security scenario, Modi said the expanding footprint of extremist and terrorist organisations in Pakistan, and their link with terror activities in India, has become a major security challenge.

Modi noted that even ceasefire violations along the Line of Control were continuing, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter infiltration from across the border. He urged the states facing the problem of Left-wing extremism to adopt a coordinated approach to tackle the problem.