Governor

Shri. Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju assumed Office as The Governor of Goa on 26th July 2025 following a swearing in ceremony held at New Durbar hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. Read Complete Press Release

• Born on the 26th June, 1951 to Dr. P. V. G. Raju and Kusum in Chennai.
• Pursued education in Saint Joseph’s Convent, Visakhapatnam; Scindia School, Gwalior; Hyderabad Public School, Hyderabad; and V. S. Krishna College, Visakhapatnam;
• Married Suneela on 24.05.1973 and the couple are blessed with two daughters, P. Aditi Vijaya Lakshmi Gajapathi Raju (Born: 24.11.1982) and Vidyavathi Devi Gajapathi Raju (01.05.1984)

Ashok is the second son of Late Dr. P. V. G. Raju, the founder of MANSAS Trust and a distinguished & multi-faceted personality whose values and principles have had a profound impact on Ashok as he was growing up. Having plunged into politics inspired by anti-emergency agitations, Ashok has a more than 4 decades of political career. He first became a Member of Legislative Assembly for Vizianagaram Constituency in the State of Andhra Pradesh from Janata Party in 1978. Inspired by the clarion call of Sri N. T. Rama Rao who founded Telugu Desam Party, he joined the party in 1982. His commitment, integrity, and a record of hardwork & delivery enabled him to serve as State Cabinet Minister in the state of Andhra Pradesh holding charge of important portfolios of Commercial Taxes & Excise, Finance & Planning, Revenue & Legislative Affairs in multiple TDP governments formed under the leadership of Late Sri N. T. Rama Rao and Sri N. Chandra Babu Naidu.

His contributions while in opposition benches being a strong voice of reason and representative of issues of common man always found resonance and he was bestowed with best legislature award. Ashok is also a sports enthusiast, has worked tirelessly to promote sports and has served as President of Andhra Cricket Association.

Late Dr. P. V. G. Raju started MANSAS (Maharajah Alak Narayan Society of Arts & Science) Trust in 1958 to support the cause of Education with the vision to empower people through Education, named in hallowed memory of his father & grand-father of Ashok, Maharajah Alak Narayan Gajapathi Raju. The responsibility of Chairman of MANSAS Trust devolved on Ashok in March 2016 after the sad demise of his elder brother, Sri Anand Gajapathi Raju. Since getting the responsibility of Chairman – MANSAS, Ashok has given renewed impetus to functioning of MANSAS in its quest to meet its objectives.

Ashok also has received the mantle & responsibility of serving as Hereditary Trustee of 105 temples as per usage & customs prevalent over centuries, which include Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Simhachalam.

In 2014, Ashok was given the responsibility of serving the nation in the capacity of Union Minister for Civil Aviation in the Cabinet of Sri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister which responsibility he held till March, 2018. Civil Aviation in India made massive strides forward during his tenure.

He is passionate and always excited about new ideas and work in the sphere of Education, wholistic development of youth, Environment Protection & Sustainability, Social equity driven by the core values he has always held strong for over nearly 5 decades of public life.

 
For More Information Visit : https://www.rajbhavan.goa.gov.in/

(Given Only In Brief for Details And Authenticity, Please See The Constitution Of India)

• There shall be a Governor for each state (Articles 153 of the Constitution of India)
• The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution of India (Article 154)
• The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal (Article 155)
• A person to be eligible for appointment as Governor should be citizen of India and has completed age of 35 years (Article 157)
• The Governor shall not be a member of the Legislature or Parliament; shall not hold any office of profit, shall be entitled to emoluments and allowances. (Article 158)
• Every Governor and every person discharging the function of the Governor shall make a subscribe an oath or Affirmation(Article 159)
• The President may make such a provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor of a State in any contingency not provided for in Chapter II of the Constitution.(Article 160)
• The Governor shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, etc. (Article 161)
• There shall be Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions except in so far as he is by or under the Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion. (Article 163)
• The Governor appoints Chief Minister and other Ministers. (Article 164)
• The Governor appoints the Advocate General for the State. (Article 165)
• All executive actions of the Governor of a State shall be expressed to be taken in the name of Governor. (Article 166)
• The Governor shall, from time to time, summon and prorogue the House and dissolve the Legislative Assembly. (Article 174)
• The Governor may address the Legislative Assembly….; The Governor may send messages to the House. (Article 175)
• Special Address to the House by the Governor. (Article 176)
• The Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves for the consideration of the Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly. (Article 200)
• The Governor shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before the House…. a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure.(Article 202)
• No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the Governor. (Article 203(3)).
• The Governor shall ……..cause to be laid before the House another statement showing estimated amount of expenditure. (Article 205)
• The Governor may promulgate the Ordinances under certain circumstances. (Article 213)
• The Governor is consulted for appointment of Judges of High Court. (Article 217)
• Every person appointed to be a judge of the High Court shall ……..make and subscribe before the Governor ………… an oath or affirmation ……(Article 217) )

• The Governor is the Chancellor of the Goa University and exercises powers delegated under the Goa University Act, 1984 and the Statutes of the University
• The Governor is the ex-officio President of the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa Branch and has the powers to appoint the Chairman, Hon. Secretary, etc.
• The Governor is the President of the Goa State Environment Protection Council, which is an Advisory Body, set up by the Government of Goa.
• The Governor is the Chairman of the Special Fund for the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen.
• The Governor is the Chairman of the Monitoring Cell for prevention of ragging in educational institutions.