Delhi Vigilance Directorate Seeks Cancellation of Education Advisor's Appointment

The Delhi government's vigilance directorate, on a directive issued Tuesday, has taken a significant step by ordering the rescission of the appointment of Shailendra Sharma as the principal advisor to the education director. This move comes after it was deemed that the appointment was made without adhering to the necessary legal and procedural frameworks. The directive also includes an instruction for the education director to collaborate with the finance department to devise a method for recovering Rs 8.9 lakh spent on a foreign trip by Sharma in May 2022.

According to officials, the decision was made following observations by the competent authority, Delhi Lt Governor, who noted that Sharma's appointment did not follow the due process for creating a suitable post. Moreover, it lacked a fair and transparent selection procedure in line with existing laws and guidelines. Consequently, the Education Department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has been instructed to immediately terminate Sharma's tenure as Principal Advisor.

The letter from the directorate highlighted concerns over an expenditure of Rs 8,88,859 incurred for Sharma's foreign tour without prior approval from the competent authority. The funds for this trip were provided by the Delhi Board of School Education. The education department is now tasked with examining this expenditure in consultation with the finance department to ensure accountability and proper use of public funds.

Shailendra Sharma has been a key figure in implementing various educational initiatives under the Arvind Kejriwal government. His contributions include the development of the happiness curriculum, Mission Buniyad, teacher training programs, and the establishment of schools of excellence. These initiatives have been pivotal in reforming the educational landscape in Delhi, aiming at enhancing the quality of education and overall student well-being.

This directive underscores the government's commitment to transparency and adherence to legal procedures in its appointments and financial expenditures. It also reflects on the importance of ensuring that public funds are used judiciously and for their intended purposes, especially in sectors as critical as education which directly impacts future generations.