SALEM: Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s visit to Salem on Monday was packed with meetings related to review of government schemes with officials and Swachh Bharat awareness campaign.
After his arrival in Salem on Monday morning, he attended the 41st Indian Social Science Congress at Periyar University. His convoy had a trouble-free drive to the function spot as the much expected black flag protest by opposition parties and some individuals along the route did not happen as the arrest and remand would have been inevitable if they dared create an unpleasant scene.
However, the city police allowed the opposition parties to hold a demonstration near the Collectorate after the convoy had left the spot. Former deputy mayor G K Subash led the demonstration an hour after the Governor had left. Members of the DMK, CPI and VCK took part. Raising slogans, they said the governor’s review meetings amounted to interference in the State’s affairs. It was against the spirit of Dr Ambedkar’s federalist constitution and yet another form of saffronisation of politics, they said.
After the programme at Periyar University, the Governor visited Panankattur in Theendamangalam in Omalur taluk, where he viewed a photo exhibition about Swachh Bharat Mission put up by the District Rural Development Agency. He flagged off an awareness rally on the harms of open defecation and benefits of toilet use.
On his return to Salem, he stopped over at the New Bus Stand, where the Coproration displayed to the Governor the thrust given to solid waste management programme under Swachh Bharat. He met with the public and received petitions.Back in the circuit house, the governor met heads of all departments.
This was followed by the Governor’s meeting with the public and political parties (an event that was announced only on Sunday evening). Farmer groups, members of the Sangh Parivar organisations, consumer forums, individual activists and politicians were among those who met him. The petitions were registered officially in a makeshift camp office as done during the public grievance meetings.
Indian Social Science Congress at Periyar University
Salem: Governor and chancellor of Periyar University Banwarilal Purohit inaugurated the 41st edition of the Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC) organised by Periyar University and Indian Academy of Social Sciences. Stating that this was the sixth time the annual Congress was being held, Purohit said this year’s theme was ‘Indian University Education System: A Critical Appraisal’ — a relevant subject, given that the efficacy of our education system will determine how far we can benefit from the diversity that we have.