Overhaul Knowledge Commission- CPI

New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) The CPI today demanded that the Centre totally revamp the National Knowledge Commission headed by Sam Pitroda, the telecom expert, on the plea that it was all out to employ only American experts.

"There is no dearth of knowledge experts in Asia, France, Germany or even in England, Why then is Mr Pitroda, who does not reside even in the country, all out to employ only American experts on the Commission?'' CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told a press conference.

Mr Bardhan said in an obvious reference to the Commission Vice Chairman P M Bhargava was dropped yesterday from the Commission after he developed differences with Mr Pitroda on the subject of the panel's recommendations on higher education.

Mr Bardhan said Mr Bhargava had sent in his resignation and shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alleging that the whole Commission has been packed with American experts.

Questioning the very purpose of such a Commission, the CPI veteran said Mr Bhargava had been made to resign only after he raised his voice against the functioning of the Commisson in a" highly arbitrary manner and promoting American knowledge system." He took strong expection to the Commission's style of functioning saying that it did not publish any report whatsoever and nobody knew what it is doing.

Besides most of its recommendations pertaining to education are faulty, he said while making a strong case for promotion of the regional languages." Surprisingly the Commission talks about education in English only." UNI KSA RP PM1800