Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa removed as Arunachal Pradesh governor

In Indian Affairs
September 13, 2016

The NDA government removed Arunachal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa after he refused to quit despite receiving several hints in this regard. Rajkhowa’s stint came to an end after President Pranab Mukherjee passed the directive on the Centre’s recommendation. Meghalaya governor V Shanmuganathan has been granted additional charge over the state for the time being.

Rajkhowa was appointed governor on May 12, 2015. “The Supreme Court’s strong observations on his conduct went against him,” said a home ministry official.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh met President Mukherjee and discussed the situation in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that Rajkhowa’s position had become untenable due to the Supreme Court’s observations against him.

Rajkhowa, a former IAS officer from Assam with a reputation for personal integrity, was appointed governor of the sensitive border state on May 12, 2015.

He had recommended imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court. The top court also restored the Congress government in the state and held the decision to impose central rule as ‘unconstitutional’.

Facts about Arunachal Pradesh:

Arunachal Pradesh, also called “the land of rising sun”, lies in northeast India. The state is the largest of the North-Eastern states, spread over an area of 83,743 km. Arunachal Pradesh, with its snow clad peaks, towering mountains, roaring rivers, high altitude meadows and vast unspoiled sub-tropical forests is aptly known as the’Last Shangri La on Earth’.

Geographical Facts

Arunachal Pradesh is known to be rich in flora, fauna, power and mineral potential. Previously this region was known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and constituted a part of the state of Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh became an independent state on 20th February 1987. It is bounded by independent countries on the three sides and by Assam and Nagaland in the south.
The major rivers of the state are the Brahmaputra and its tributaries—the Dibang [Sikang], Lohit, Subansiri, Kameng, and Tirap.
Arunachal Pradesh, whose name means Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains in Sanskrit, is also known as the Orchid State of India or the Paradise of the Botanists.
Geographically, it is the largest among the North-east Indian states commonly known as the Seven Sister States.

Wildlife Sanctuaries