Panaji:
Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli today assumed the additional charge as the Governor of Goa.
Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, Justice Mohit Shah, administered the oath of office to Mr Kohli in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, cabinet ministers and Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane at the Raj Bhavan in Panaji.
Mr Kohli replaced Margaret Alva, who too was holding an additional charge in Goa. Earlier Governor, B V Wanchoo, quit after his name had surfaced in the VVIP chopper deal case.
"Goa is known for communal harmony. People living here are humble by nature. I like to come to Goa," the Governor said, talking to reporters afterwards.
The present government had put the state on the path of development, Mr Kohli said, adding that notwithstanding his responsibility in Gujarat, he would be available for Goa whenever required.
"Government's work will not be affected," Mr Kohli said.
The new Governor was given a guard of honour after the ceremony.
Mr Kohli was president of Delhi unit of BJP in 1999-2000. He also served as a member of Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2000.
After earning a Masters degree in Hindi from University of Delhi, he served as a lecturer at Hansraj College and Deshbandhu College for over 37 years.
He has penned three books in Hindi, namely, 'Rashtriya Suraksha Ke Morche Par', 'Shiksha Niti' and 'Bhaktikal Ke Santon Ki Samajik Chetna'.