# Vinai Kumar Saxena

Vinai Kumar Saxena (born 23 March 1958) is an Indian business executive who is currently serving as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delhi since 2022. He previously served as chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission from 2015 to 2022.
In May 2015, Saxena was appointed chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, an organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He remained in the post until 2022. He also served as the president of Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute.

## Early life and education

Saxena was born on 23 March 1958 in Uttar Pradesh. In 1975, he founded a student union within his institution, Mardhan Singh Inter College in Talbehat, Lalitpur, and was later elected its general secretary. In 1981, he graduated from Kanpur University. He holds a pilot license.

## Professional career

Saxena began his professional career as an assistant officer in J.K. Group of companies in Rajasthan. He was eventually appointed the general manager of the group. Saxena later went on to become the CEO and Director of the Dholera Port Project in Dholera. He also led the construction of concrete gravity dam of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) with the backing of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited.

### National Council for Civil Liberties of India

In 1991, he started the National Council for Civil Liberties of India (NCCL), an NGO headquartered in Ahmedabad. NCCL opposed Medha Patkar and the Narmada Bachao Andolan, an environmental initiative aimed at the ecological preservation and prevention of the displacement of thousands of people owing to the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat, and other upcoming hydro projects on Narmada Valley. A prolonged criminal defamation case filed by Saxena in the year 2001 against Patkar resulted in her conviction by the Delhi Court on 24 May 2024. The court held Patkar guilty of deliberately and maliciously defaming Saxena. Subsequently, on 1 July 2024, the court sentenced Patkar to a five-month imprisonment and ordered her to pay ₹10 lakh as compensation to Saxena.
As president of NCCL, he petitioned the Gujarat High Court in 2011 against then-Governor of Gujarat Kamla Beniwal's appointment of retired judge Rameshchandra Amrut Mehta as Lokayukta, alleging a "breach of constitutional propriety" for bypassing the advice of the state's council of ministers, led by then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, in 2012, the appointment of the Lokayukta in Gujarat was upheld by multiple courts, including the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court of India. The courts ruled that while "the governor is bound to act under the advice of the Council of Ministers," the appointment of Mehta was valid as it was made in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.
In May 2008, Saxena drew public attention by raising concerns about the placement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Madame Tussauds in London. He discovered that the statue was positioned on the second floor near an ice cream parlour and close to a dustbin, rather than in the museum's section featuring prominent world leaders. On 17 May 2008, he addressed the issue by writing to then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 17 May 2008. The following day, the museum authorities issued an apology and relocated the statue to the World Leaders' Exhibition hall.

### Later career

Saxena was appointed as a "Member of University Court" of Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2019. In 2020, he was nominated as a member of the decision-making body of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology. In November 2020, he was nominated as a member of the Padma Awards selection panel for the year 2021.In March 2021, he was appointed by the Union government as a member of the national committee to commemorate 75 years of India's independence.
Saxena became associated with Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI); the institution launched the production of handmade paper pads in Jaipur, Rajasthan, from white currency waste that stemmed from the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India.

## Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission

In 2015, Saxena was appointed the chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), which oversaw a number of employment generation programs. He led the development of Plastic-mixed Handmade Paper and patented Khadi Prakritik Paint, India's first wall paint made of cow dung. KVIC's turnover, sales, and brand recognition improved during his tenure.
In 2017–18, during his chairmanship, KVIC's sales growth witnessed a 13% rise, almost twice that of Hindustan Unilever's. During 2018–19, the company has reported an over 25% jump in sales to a little under ₹75,000 crore. When the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Sweet Revolution' program in 2016, Saxena drafted an initiative titled 'Honey Mission'. As part of the KVIC's Honey Mission, the launch of the nation's first Mobile Honey Processing Van took place at Sirora, in Ghaziabad, on 7 January 2022. 'Khadi prakritik paint', another notable innovation of Khadi India, was conceptualized by Saxena in March 2020 and the trial issue was launched in November of the same year. Cow dung paint, one of the notable innovations of the KVIC, incorporated by Saxena, which got the patent certificate from the Government of India on 23 September 2022.

## Sustainable habitat initiatives
### Plantation drive

During the chairmanship of KVIC from 2015 to 2022, Saxena initiated a nationwide campaign for plantation of Moringa oleifera (over 45,000 trees) in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi. His efforts on the plantation of Moringa saplings were predominantly aimed at supporting beekeeping activities as well as creating awareness about its medicinal values among the masses. He also administered the plantation of saplings of sandalwood and bamboo, ensuring financial sustainability of Indian farmers and local land owners. In July 2020, he earned an invitation from the UNESCO to attend an international workshop on 'Wise Coastal Practice for Sustainable Human Development' for his major works related to water security in coastal Bhal region of Gujarat. Saxena initiated Project BOLD (known fully as 'Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought') on 4 July 2021, aiming the creation of bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones in India. As a result of the project, over 31,000 bamboo saplings were planted over 42.47 lakh Square feet in areas of Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Leh and Ladakh, Goa, Gujarat, Varanasi and Jammu.
Saxena, in association with Delhi Development Authority, which maintains 733 parks, 7 biodiversity parks, the Yamuna floodplains and roadside greens, carried out plantation drives in different parts of the national capital territory as part of the sustainable habitat development programme in July 2024 to make the city greener. Newly elected Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi joined the initiative with Saxena, in which 50,000 trees and 5,50,000 shrubs have been planted in different locations of Delhi, including District Park and Lake, Vikaspuri, G17, Paschim Vihar and Punjabi Bagh. The campaign was inaugurated by Modi and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change – Bhupender Yadav, assisted by Saxena in Delhi, on World Environment Day 2024, with the name of "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (lit. 'Project One Tree in the name of mother'), aiming to mobilize every Indian to plant a tree as a measure against climate change. He also incepted the 'Green Plan' for Delhi, with having motto of layered plantations, Miyawaki and aquatic forestation, setting a target of planting 67 lakh trees and shrubs in 2024–25 season.

### Watershed management

As part of the sustainable development projects, Saxena made an impact in water resource planning and watershed management in both the states, Gujarat and Rajasthan, helping prevent drought in India. He cooperated with foreign scientists in commissioning an initiative named 'Trishna', through which, unutilized water was parched into areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. In 2000, he administered pond deepening process in areas of Dholera, Ahmedabad district.

### Project 'Rainbow Hills'

Saxena made an impact in commencing the Project 'Rainbow Hills' in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat for re-constructions and modernization of tribal houses. Under the initiative, repairing of walls, floor, roof, verandas were done including the construction of eco-friendly toilets as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, including overall developments of basic amenities to the local Adivasis.

## Lieutenant Governor of Delhi

On 23 May 2022, Saxena was appointed the Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi by the President of India, becoming the maiden corporate individual ever selected for a gubernatorial post. He succeeded Anil Baijal for the post. In June, he launched e-sanjeevani services at the Hindu Rao Hospital of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, as part of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. In October 2022, he launched one-time property tax amnesty scheme 'SAMRIDDHI 2022–23', to provide a major relief to lakhs of residential and commercial property owners in the city. 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. 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'. In 2023, National Green Tribunal appointed Saxena as chairperson of a high-level committee on the Yamuna Rejuvenation Project, which is a part of Namami Gange Programme, but the appointment was stayed by an order of the Supreme Court of India in July of the same year.
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. 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. On 11 November, Saxena inaugurated Rajghat Power Plant Chimney, which became one of the tallest illuminated landmarks in the city. On 9 December, he inaugurated the new annexe building of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Delhi. In February 2024, joining with Police Commissioner of Delhi Sanjay Arora, Saxena inaugurated 'All Women Police Post' at Shraddhanand Marg Police Station, setting up a groundbreaking move.
On 20 February 2025, Saxena administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected CM of Delhi Rekha Gupta and the ministers at the official oath ceremony hosted in Ramlila Maidan.

## Personal life

Saxena was born and grew up in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. He is married to Sangita Saxena, who is an educationist and social worker based in New Delhi. Saxena has a daughter named Shivangi Saxena, who is an interior designer.

## Controversies

While serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, he was falsely accused by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of involvement in a khadi scam and money laundering amounting to ₹1,400 crore during his tenure as chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. He denied the accusations, and issued legal notices to the AAP leaders. The Delhi High Court directed the AAP to remove defamatory posts from social media, ruling that the allegations were 'completely unsubstantiated,' noting that the sum was exaggerated into ₹1,400 crore without any proof or merit.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, accused Saxena of approving the Delhi Excise Policy (2021–22) introduced by the Delhi Government without raising concerns about the opening of outlets in unauthorized areas, alleging that Saxena changed his position according to evolving circumstances. After assuming office in 2022, Saxena recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the Delhi liquor scam.
On 16 March 2023, AAP politician Sanjay Singh released a video, accusing Saxena of "leading a violent mob" against activist and later AAP candidate Medha Patkar in 2002 at Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. Saxena said that it was an attempt to malign his image alleging a nexus between Patkar and AAP. The case remains sub-judice, with Saxena named as an accused. Later in 2024, Patkar was convicted of criminal defamation by a Delhi Court for degogratory remarks against Saxena in 2001.

## 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".
* 2007 – Dubai International Award constituted by UN-HABITAT, for best practices to improve living environment in the city of Ahmedabad through project 'Mission ENDURE'.
* 2008 – International Excellence Award by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) for "Outstanding Contribution to Environment Protection and Water Security".
* 2017 – Luxury League Award for contributions in promoting Khadi in India and worldwide.

## Work(s)

* Racing to Restore: the Yamuna Memoir (December 2023) – autobiography (archived copy of the book: PDF).