Vinai Kumar Saxena
Saxena in 2022
22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
Assumed office
26 May 2022
PresidentDroupadi Murmu
Ram Nath Kovind
Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal
Preceded byAnil Baijal
Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission
In office
25 October 2015 – 23 May 2022
Succeeded byManoj Kumar
Personal details
Born (1958-03-23) 23 March 1958
Uttar Pradesh, India
SpouseSangita Saxena[1]
ResidenceRaj Niwas, Delhi
Alma materKanpur University (1981)[2]
Occupation
  • Corporate scientist
  • Environmentalist
  • Legal consultant
  • Philanthropist
Websitelg.delhi.gov.in

Vinai Kumar Saxena (Hindi: विनय कुमार सक्सेना; born 23 March 1958) is an Indian corporate scientist, who is currently serving as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delhi since 2022.[3] He previously served as chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).[4]

In May 2015, Saxena was appointed chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission,[5] an organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He remained in the post until 2022.[6][7]

Life and earlier career

Early life and education

Saxena was born on 23 March 1958 in Uttar Pradesh.[8] In 1975, he founded a student union within his institution, Mardhan Singh Inter-College in Talbehat, Lalitpur, and soon elected its general secretary.[2] After completing graduation from Kanpur University (now known as Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University) in 1981, he went on to earn a Pilot licence.[8]

Professional career

Known for his leadership abilities on a diverse range of social, corporate, technical, legal, cultural skills, Saxena began his professional career as an assistant officer in JK Group of Companies in Rajasthan.[8] After gaining experience through decade-long contributions in development of white cement plant, he was appointed general manager of the group and soon entered into the seaport project in Gujarat.[9][8] Saxena later went on to became the CEO and Director of the 'Dholera Port Project' in Dholera (which is dubbed as "India's Singapore").[8][10]

National Council for Civil Liberties of India

In 1991, he incorporated National Council for Civil Liberties of India (NCCL), an NGO headquartered in Ahmedabad, which is recognised by the Ministry of Law and Justice.[2][11] Under his guidance, NCCL began a project "Mission ENDURE" ('Ensuring Dust Reduction') in Ahmedabad in 2004, which later won Dubai International Award, by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).[12] Under his leadership, NCCL incepted an opposition to Medha Patkar and her Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) in their attempts to stop construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat.[13][14][15][16][17] As president of NCCL, he moved to the Gujarat High Court against the then Governor of Gujarat Kamla Beniwal's decision to appoint retired judge Rameshchandra Amrut Mehta as Lokayukta in 2011, citing "breach of constitutional propriety by the governor in not heeding the advice of the state's council of ministers", then headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.[18][19][20][21] Later in 2012, appointment of the Lokyukta was upheld multiple time by the court,[22][23][24][25] while it was noted that "the Governor is bound to act under the advice of the Council of Ministers, but the appointment of Justice Mehta is right as it was done in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court".[26] NCCL, led by Saxena, was also instrumental in various other activities, including Water Resource Planning and Water Shed Management for Gujarat and Rajasthan, studying the impact of 2001 Gujarat earthquake through satellite imageries, Project 'Rainbow Hills' in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat for re-constructions and modernization of tribal houses,[27] deepening of silted village ponds in Bhal region, solution to reduce dust pollution in Ahmedabad, improvement in eco-tourism.[14]

Saxena came in worldwide attention in May 2008, after raising an issue on a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Madame Tussauds in London.[12] He found out that the statue was placed on the second floor near an ice cream parlour close to a dustbin, instead of the wing where the statues of other illustrious world leaders, exhibited at the museum.[12] He raised the issue by sending a letter to the then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 17 May 2008.[12] On the next day, an apology was offered by the Museum authority and the statue was shifted to the hall named 'World Leaders' Exhibition'.[12]

Later career

Saxena investigating a project in Delhi, in March 2023.

Saxena has been serving as a 'Member of University Court' of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) since his appointment in 2019.[2] In 2020, he was nominated as member of decision-making body of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology.[2] In November 2020, he was nominated as a member of the Padma Awards selection panel for the year 2021.[28] In March 2021, he was appointed by the union government as a member of the national committee to commemorate the '75 years of India's independence'.[2][29]

As chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission

Saxena (second from right) at the official launch the New Dress Code for Postman and Multi-Tasking Personnel of Department of Posts, in New Delhi, January 29, 2018.
Saxena (in red) at the 'Khadi Fashion Show', during the International SME convention 2018, in New Delhi, April 23, 2018.

In 2015, Saxena was appointed as the chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC),[8] an apex organisation under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, that holds the exclusive rights to use both the trademarks Khadi and Khadi India.[30][31][32] and played a key role in implementing numerous innovative schemes like 'Honey Mission', 'Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana' and 'Leather Artisans' Empowerment Scheme.[33] During the chairmanship tenure in KVIC, he was instrumental in innovations of both plastic-mixed handmade paper and Khadi prakritik paint, for which he got patent certification.[8] Under his stewardship, since the 2015–16 fiscal year, KVIC emerged as one of the recognisable Indian brands worldwide, alongside the turnover registered a remarkable growth.[8] In 2017–18, KVIC's sales growth witnessed a "moderate" 13% rise, almost twice that of Hindustan Unilever's.[34] During 2018–19, the company has reported an over 25% jump in sales to a little under ₹75,000 crore.[34] In 2021–22, KVIC became one of the most trusted companies of Fast-moving consumer goods, that ensured the distribution of a whooping number of 55,000 New Model Charkhas and 11,000 modern looms.[8][35]

Following the clarion call of Narendra Modi's 'Sweet Revolution' in India in 2016, Saxena drafted a programme named "Honey Mission".[14] As part of the KVIC's 'Honey Mission', he launched the country's first Mobile Honey Processing Van at Sirora, in Ghaziabad, on 7 January 2022.[36]

As Lieutenant Governor of Delhi

Saxena in January 2023

On 23 May 2022, Saxena was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi by the President of India,[37][3] and became the first corporate personality ever selected for a 'gubernatorial post'.[38][39][40] He succeeded Anil Baijal for the post.[41]

Saxena attended as chief guest and inaugurated the 'Drug Free India Pakhwada campaign' at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi in June 2023, which was part of "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan" (NMBA), in which 15,000 kilograms of illegal drugs were destroyed as per procedure at the incinerator located at SSI Industrial Area, in Jahangirpuri.[42] He then took part in an official event hosted by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), describing aspects and future developments according to the 'New Master Plan Delhi 2041'.[43]

Saxena and other officials discussing about Yamuna revival works in Delhi, February 2023.

In September, Saxena inaugurated an online portal in Delhi, devoted to Vigilance Complaint Information Management System (VCIMS), the first of its kind in India, that aiming the handling of corruption complaints and ensuring transparency and confidentiality.[44] On 23 September, after the conclusion of G20 New Delhi summit, he approved allotment and transfer of lands in Bhalswa and Uttam Nagar, for completion of infrastructural development projects.[45] On 11 November, Saxena inaugurated Rajghat Power Plant Chimney, which became one of the tallest illuminated landmarks in the city.[46] On 9 December, he inaugurated the new annexe building of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Delhi.[47][48]

Controversy, and the Supreme Court verdict

He was accused of Khadi Scam and money laundering of ₹1,400 crore while he was the Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission by the majority MLAs of the ruling party in the Legislative Assembly of Delhi.[49][50] He sent legal notices against the AAP leaders refuting these claims.[51] The Delhi High Court ordered Aam Aadmi Party to take down defamatory posts from social media sites and said that the allegations were without merit.[52] It also remarked that the sum of ₹17 lakhs was converted into 1,400 crores in a fanciful way without proof or merit.[53]

Awards and accolades

  • 2000 – selected as one of the four referees by the Third World Network of Scientific Organisation, for evaluation of an important Joint Research Project in Yemen titled "Characterization an Environmental Prioritisation of the Coastal region in the state of Yemen".[14][54]
  • 2007 – Dubai International Award constituted by UN-HABITAT, for best practices to improve living environment in the city of Ahmedabad through project 'Mission ENDURE'.[14]
  • 2008 – International Excellence Award by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) for "Outstanding Contribution to Environment Protection and Water Security".[55][2]
  • 2017 – Luxury League Award for contributions in promoting Khadi in India and abroad.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Delhi Lt Governor, Arvind Kejriwal Meet Amid Tussle". ndtv.com. New Delhi: NDTV News. Asian News International. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mani, Sudarsanan (24 May 2022). "Vinai Kumar Saxena, the new L-G of Delhi, had opposed Medha Patkar over Narmada project". cnbctv18.com. CNBC Television. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Vinai Kumar Saxena takes oath as 22nd Lt Governor of Delhi". The Telegraph. PTI. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Chancellor, NSUT". nsut.ac.in. Netaji Subhas University of Technology. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena Appointed New Delhi L-G Days After Anil Baijal Quit Citing Personal Reasons". News18. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  6. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena appointed Delhi's new LG". Mint. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "Arvind Kejriwal On Majority Test: "To Show (BJP's) Op Lotus Failed"". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena — The Lieutenant Governor". lg.delhi.gov.in. New Delhi: The lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Upadhaya, Neha (24 May 2022). "जानिए कितने पढ़े-लिखे हैं दिल्ली के नए एलजी विनय सक्सेना..." [Know how educated and experienced Delhi's new LG Vinay Saxena is...]. navbharattimes.indiatimes.com (in Hindi). New Delhi: The Navbharat Times. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Nair, Avinash (15 May 2023). "Hailed as 'India's Singapore': Dholera, dressed up and waiting". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Delhi gets new LG: Who is Vinai Kumar Saxena?". aninews.com. New Delhi: Asian News International. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Nair, Avinash (27 May 2022). "Newsmaker — Vinai Kumar Saxena, a dyed in the wool L-G". indianexpress.com. The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "AAP's 'proof' in Medha Patkar assault case: 'Should he remain Delhi L-G?'". hindustantimes.com. The Hindustan Times. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Govt of Delhi: Lt. Governor office — Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena (The Lieutenant Governor)". delhi.gov.in. New Delhi: Government of Delhi. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "FIR against social activist Medha Patkar in Madhya Pradesh". Hindustan Times. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "A short history of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada". The Indian Express. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  17. ↑ "Cross defamation cases: Court issues non-bailable warrant against Medha Patkar". indianexpress.com. The Indian Express. PTI. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Vishnoi, Anubhuti (25 May 2022). "Delhi's new Lieutenant General Vinai Kumar Saxena fought many battles for his 'second home state' Gujarat". economictimes.com. The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  19. ↑ "Anna man is Gujarat Lokayukta". The Times of India. 27 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011.
  20. ↑ Shah, Jumana (15 June 2011). "Is Justice RA Mehta likely to be appointed Gujarat lok ayukta?". DNA India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "R.A. Mehta is Gujarat Lokayukta — Yahoo! News India". In.news.yahoo.com. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Setback for Narendra Modi, Gujarat HC upholds Lokayukta's appointment". IBNLive.IN.com. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Gujarat government challenges Lokayukta appointment in SC". IBNLive.IN.com. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Supreme Court upholds Gujarat Lokayukta's appointment". NDTV. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Apex court upholds Justice Mehta's appointment as Gujarat Lokayukta". TEHELKA. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  26. ↑ Venkatesan, J. (3 January 2013). "Setback to Modi as Supreme Court upholds Lokayukta appointment". The Hindu. TheHindu. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "President's profile — Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena". knhpi.org. Delhi: Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute. 2018. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "Delhi gets new lieutenant governor: Who is Vinai Kumar Saxena?". hindustantimes.com. New Delhi: The Hindustan Times. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena takes oath as Lt Governor of Delhi". The Economic Times. PTI. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  30. ↑ Bureau, Indiaretailing (21 May 2021). "Tribunal bars unauthorised use of Khadi brand name". Indiaretailing.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  31. ↑ "'Khadi', 'Khadi India' not generic names, rules tribunal". The Hindu. PTI. 20 May 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  32. ↑ MPost (20 May 2021). "KVIC: Court bars individuals/cos from using 'Khadi' brand name without authorisation". millenniumpost.in. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  33. ↑ "New Delhi LG V.K. Saxena: The man who made Khadi Commission grew by massive 248%". daijiworld.com. New Delhi: Daiji World News. IANS. 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Honey Mission News — Papad, cosmetics, honey push Khadi Commission sales up 25% to Rs.75, 000 crore". kvic.gov.in. Khadi and Village Industries Commission. TNN. 16 August 2019. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  35. ↑ "KVIC turnover crosses ₹1 lakh crore in 2021–22, beats all Indian FMCG cos". livemint.com. New Delhi: The Live Mint. 30 April 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  36. ↑ "KVIC rolls out innovative "Mobile Honey Processing Van" to support farmers and beekeepers". pib.gov.in. Press Information Bureau. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  37. ↑ "Khadi commission head Vinai Kumar Saxena is Delhi's new Lieutenant Governor". The Indian Express. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Meet Delhi's new LG: First corporate man on such a gubernatorial post who holds a pilot's license". livemint.com. New Delhi: The Live Mint. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  39. ↑ "A proud moment for the whole KVIC. Incumbent Chairman of KVIC Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of NCT of Delhi. He is the first corporate man ever selected for such gubernatorial post". Twitter.com (@kvicindia) – Khadi India Official. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  40. ↑ "Meet Delhi's new LG Vinai Kumar Saxena: A Kanpur University graduate who holds a pilot's licence". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  41. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena is the new Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi". thehindu.com. New Delhi: The Hindu. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  42. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena is the new Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi". delhipolice.gov.in. New Delhi: Delhi Police. 26 June 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  43. ↑ "Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in an event of PHDCCI dedicated to "New Master Plan Delhi 2041" assures clearing". phdcci.in. New Delhi: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 28 June 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  44. ↑ "Delhi LG launches portal for speedy action on graft complaints". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. New Delhi: The Times of India. 21 September 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  45. ↑ "Delhi LG VK Saxena Approves Land Transfer Among Depts For Infra Projects". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. New Delhi: The Times of India. TNN. 23 September 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  46. ↑ Singhal, Upasika (11 November 2023). "Delhi's skyline transformed: Rajghat power plant chimney lights up as tallest illuminated landmark". indianexpress.com. New Delhi: The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  47. ↑ "New Forensic Science Laboratory building inaugurated in Delhi". thehindu.com. New Delhi: The Hindu Bureau. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  48. ↑ "LG Inaugurates New Building at Delhi FSL Aimed at Boosting Testing Capacity". latestly.com. New Delhi: LATEST-LY. PTI. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  49. ↑ "AAP MLAs Allege Delhi Lt Governor Involved In Rs 1400 Crore "Khadi Scam"". NDTV India. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  50. ↑ Anand, Jatin (29 August 2022). "Furore in Delhi Assembly over graft allegations against L-G". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  51. ↑ "Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sends Legal Notice To AAP Leaders For Defamation". NDTV.com. 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  52. ↑ "Delhi HC asks AAP leaders to take down posts defaming Lieutenant Governor". Hindustan Times. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  53. ↑ Jha, Prashant. "No material to substantiate AAP's allegations that Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena was involved in ₹1,400 crore corruption: Delhi High Court". Bar and Bench — Indian Legal news. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  54. ↑ "Vinai Kumar Saxena — Biography". rls.net.in. Retail Leadership Summit. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  55. ↑ "I'll work as local guardian': Vinai Kumar Saxena takes oath as Delhi's LG. 10 points". livemint.com. LiveMint. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.

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