awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on 26 January 1990. Lakhera was promoted to major general in March 1990, and posted as chief of staff of the Kashmir Valley-based Corps Headquarters. He was actively involved in coordination of all counter-insurgency operations, including the sealing of the line of control in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh Sector. At this stage, for his success in discharging his responsibilities, Major General Lakhera was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on 26 January 1991. He subsequently commanded an infantry division. In 1992, Lakhera was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, and was initially posted as Chief of Staff of Headquarters, Central Army Command. Besides other operational and administrative responsibilities, in the aftermath of the Ayodhya incident in December 1992, General Lakhera was responsible for coordinating army assistance to a beleaguered civil administration in the sensitive States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. He was subsequently posted as chief of staff, Headquarters, Northern Army Command, dealing with the volatile insurgency in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In June, 1993, General Lakhera took over as Adjutant General of the Indian Army, where he was actively involved with policy framing on all aspects of Manpower Planning & Management including Defence civilians. The General also served as the colonel commandant of his parent Kumaon Regiment. For distinguished services of most exceptional order, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on 26 January 1995. Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Lakhera took over as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on 7 July 2004. He was, at the time, the first person from Garhwal Division to hold a gubernatorial appointment. As the lieutenant governor, he was involved in organizing the government machinery to come to the immediate aid of the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in Puducherry. He personally monitored the progress of relief and rehabilitation measures and took a personal interest in bringing about a definite and positive change in the life of the tsunami affected villagers. Revival of Puducherry Panchayat elections Lakhera's tenure in Puducherry witnessed the conduct of Panchayat and municipal elections after a span of 38 years. Elections to the 12th Puducherry Legislative Assembly were also held during his tenure in a free and fair manner, and without any incident. Additional charge as Lieutenant Governor of