Governor-designate arrives in Patna, oath on March 14

Patna: Bihar governor-designate Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) arrived in Patna on Thursday, two days ahead of his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for March 14. He was received at the airport by industries minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal and education minister Sunil Kumar, who were authorised by CM Nitish Kumar to welcome him on behalf of the state govt.

An official at Raj Bhavan said Hasnain will take oath as the governor of Bihar at 11 am on March 14.

According to a statement from the governor’s secretariat, deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar and Legislative Council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh were also present at the airport to welcome the governor-designate.

Welcoming Hasnain, Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar described Bihar as the “mother of democracy” and expressed hope that the state would make further progress during the new governor’s tenure.

Industries minister Dilip Jaiswal said Hasnain’s distinguished military background, discipline and dedication to national service would bring fresh energy to Bihar’s administrative and social life. He added that the state would move forward on the path of good governance, development and public welfare under his guidance.

After reaching Raj Bhavan, Hasnain was received by the governor’s principal secretary Robert L Chongthu and other officials.

Lt Gen Hasnain has held several key positions during and after his military career. He last served as Military Secretary in the Indian Army and earlier commanded the 15 Corps in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the Army’s most significant operational assignments. In 2018, he was appointed chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, and in 2020, he was named a member of the National Disaster Management Authority.