Chandigarh, May 8
Justice Om Prakash Verma was today sworn in as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. He is the 30th Governor of Punjab since Independence. He succeeds Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), who demitted office, in the forenoon.

The Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice Binod Kumar Roy, administered the oath of office to the new Governor at a brief but impressive ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Earlier, Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chief Secretary, read out the warrants of appointment issued by the President of India appointing Justice Om Prakash Verma as the Governor of Punjab.

Immediately after taking the oath in English, the Governor signed the oath form which was countersigned by the Chief Justice. The Governor then proceeded to the saluting dais where he took the salute from a contingent of the Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar, and inspected the Guard of Honour. The national flag was hoisted at Punjab Raj Bhavan amidst the playing of the National Anthem.

Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Leader of the Opposition Parkash Singh Badal congratulated the Governor. Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, MPs, members of advisory committee and Councillors of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, also congratulated Justice Verma and garlanded him profusely.