New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday called upon governors to ensure that their state governments acted according to the constitution.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 45th conference of governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mukherjee said: "Governors have to ensure that state governments act according to the constitution while safeguarding the interests of the state.

"This is the unique responsibility of governors as they represent the centre in the state... The role of a governor is to act as a bridge between states and centre," he added.

The two-day conference is being attended by 26 governors and three Lt. Governors.

The agenda includes external and internal security environment, development issues and improving the quality of higher education.

The president asked the governors to "remain alert" and ensure "peaceful and conducive" general elections.

At the same time, he advised them to spend "more time touring inside the states".

"Measures to strengthen autonomous district councils and extend certain features of the Panchayati Raj institutions should be also considered," he said.

The president further asked the governors to be "pro-active" as chancellors in taking up the cause of higher education to bring excellence in state institutions.