Role of Governors important in cooperative federalism: President Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi : The role of Governors and Lt Governors has become important when the country's emphasis is on cooperative and competitive federalism for progress of the nation, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday.

In his inaugural speech at the two-day-long Governor and Lt Governors' Conference here, the President said all the governors have abundant experience of public life and people of the country should get the maximum benefit out of it.

The role of governor is not limited to protection and preservation of the Constitution but they have a commitment to remain persistent in the service and welfare of the people of their states, Kovind said, adding "ultimately, we all work for the public and we are also answerable to them".

Today the governors' role becomes even more important "when we are emphasising on cooperative federalism and healthy competitive federalism in the interest of the progress of the country", an official release issued quoted the President as saying.

While cooperative federalism means that the Centre and the state governments along with representatives of local bodies formulate similar policies for the betterment of the people rather than working at cross purpose, competitive federalism means states competing among themselves as well as with the Centre.

The Centre has already started taking measures for competitive federalism by replacing the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog and also tabling in Parliament the recommendations of the 14th finance commission which envisages increase of the central tax revenue share from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.

Earlier, while inaugurating the 50th conference of governors and Lt governors of states and union territories, the President made a special mention about Lt Governors of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir -- R K Mathur and G C Murmu respectively.

It was the first representation at the conference from the two newly carved out union territories, which came into existence on October 31 this year.