TIRUNELVELI: Notwithstanding Opposition outcry, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Wednesday undertook cleanliness drives across the city and reviewed progress of implementation of various projects with officials of the district administration.
Purohit, who was here to preside over the 25th convocation ceremony of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in his capacity as Chancellor, wielded the broom along with Tirunelveli collector Sandeep Nanduri at the ever-busy Periyar Bus terminus and in Palayamkottai locality in the city and sensitised people about the need to keep public areas clean.
The Governor, whose action of reviewing projects with the officials of Coimbatore district administration triggered a major political row, also distributed pamphlets about the Union Government’s ambitious ‘Swachh Bharat’ scheme and interacted with public in English. Dismissing the Opposition’s objection, Purohit had said there was “unconstitutionality” in his actions and had vowed to continue with his review meetings.
Purohit asked a young girl who was at the bus terminus to read aloud the instructions printed on the pamphlet on how to keep their neighbourhood clean. District officials explained the progress of Swachh Bharat to Purohit, who also visited a few eateries and stalls inside the bus terminus.
“It was such a good sight to spot the Governor at bus terminus. We felt happy that the Governor came to check the facilities at the bus terminus. People got opportunity to meet and interact with the Governor,” Arul Murugan, who took a bus to Madurai, said.
Later, Purohit also held discussions with Nanduri and other senior officials at the government circuit house here on various projects. Participating in the convocation ceremony of the university, Purohit corrected Vice Chanc-ellor Dr Krishnan Baskar who mentioned that he was the managing editor of Nagpur-based newspaper ‘The Hitavada’.
“It should have been ‘was the managing editor and not is the managing editor,” Purohit said, implying that he no more holds any position at the newspaper. The Governor left for Kanyakumari where is expected to review the situation arising out of Cyclone Ockhi in the district on Thursday.
