Srinagar: Satya Pal Malik, former BJP national vice president, was sworn in as the new Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
Malik was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on 21 August with Lalji Tandon taking the post of the Bihar Governor, a Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesperson said on Tuesday.
He was administered oath of office by Chief Justice Gita Mital at a function at Raj Bhavan house.
Malik arrived here from Patna on Tuesday afternoon in a special plane and has assumed office as 13th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Soon after his arrival, Malik straightway drove to the Raj Bhavan Srinagar from the Airport.
He was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday and was transferred to J&K from Bihar, replacing N N Vohra after more than a decade.
The government of India had given an extension to NN Vohra as J&K Governor till August 26 keeping in mind the Amarnath Yatra after the state government was dissolved in June. The state has been under Governor’s Rule ever since BJP pulled out of its coalition with the PDP on June 20, soon after which Mehbooba Mufti quit as the chief minister.
Malik served as the Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism from 21 April 1990 to 10 November 1990. Born on 24 July 1946, Malik has held many important positions in both Centre and State.
The 71-year-old has been a member of the Rajya Sabha on two occasions – from 1980-84 and from 1986-89.
Malik has also been a part of the Lower House (from 1989 to 1990).
The BJP leader has also served as a Member of Uttar Pradesh Assembly from 1974 to 1977. In his political career, Malik has also been the Chairman and member of many important Parliamentary Committees during his long political career.
Malik is a graduate in B.Sc and LL.B from Meerut University and holds a Diploma in Parliamentary Affairs from Institute of Constitutional & Parliamentary Studies run by Parliament of India.
He is also an agriculturist, and active social worker with an experience of over 50 years in social development.