Tejendra Khanna new Lt Governor of Delhi

Former union commerce secretary Tejendra Khanna is sworn as lieutenant governor of Delhi for the second time.

An elegant ceremony on Monday saw former union commerce secretary Tejendra Khanna being sworn in as lieutenant governor of Delhi for the second time.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Mukundakam Sharma.

HT Image

Dressed in a smart black Nehru collared suit, Khanna couldn't stop beaming after the ceremony at the Raj Niwas in the capital. Holding his granddaughter's hand, he interacted with the guests, most hovering around him with folded hands, and obliged them by posing for innumerable photographs.

Khanna, who earlier held the same post from January 1997, immediately after his retirement as commerce secretary during the regime of the United Front, remarked that this was a wonderful opportunity bestowed on him.

In his last major public assignment in 2006, he headed the central government-appointed committee to study the problem of unauthorised constructions in the capital.

Many of the committee's recommendations have been incorporated in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.

Chairperson of leading pharma firm Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd since 1999, Khanna is the second person after Jagmohan to get a second stint as lieutenant governor of Delhi.

Replying to media queries after the ceremony, Khanna reiterated his faith on the Delhi Police and said: "I believe that all problems can be solved with better coordination and commitment."

The formal announcement of his appointment came April 5. He succeeds B.L. Joshi, who will take over as the governor of Meghalaya.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her cabinet ministers were among the many who attended the ceremony.