Education dept removes principal advisor; utterly disappointing, says AAP

THE DELHI education department has removed Shailendra Sharma, who was serving as the principal advisor to the education director, from the post, on the directions of the Vigilance Department.

Terming his appointment “arbitrary”, the Vigilance Department, in a letter to the education director, also said that he went on a study tour to London in May 2022 without the permission of the L-G and that the recovery of the expenditure of Rs 8.8 lakh from him will have to be “examined”. Sharma was appointed on an honorary basis and was not entitled to a salary or allowance.

According to the Vigilance Department, the appointment was made in 2016 without taking approval from the then Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called the move “utterly disappointing”.

This is not the first time that the removal of advisors has been ordered. Similar action was taken in 2018, following communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This included now Delhi minister Atishi, and media advisors to ministers, Amardeep Tiwari and Arunoday Prakash along with six others.

“It is utterly disappointing to see that through Delhi’s bureaucracy,thebjpisattemptingtohalt all the groundbreaking works by the AAP government, as Lok Sabha elections are drawing near,” the party said.

“The appointment of Sh. Shailendra Kumar Sharma was arbitrary as the proper procedure for selection and appointment which involves screening, objective assessment, selection/ recommendation and approval of the Competent Authority has not been adhered to while appointing (him)…” the letter said.

The issue regarding appointments of advisors was first raised after the MHA passed a notification as per which decisions regarding the appointment of manpower had to be approved by the L-G.

Last year, the Parliament passed the GNCTD Amendment Act, which solidified this position and gave the reins of the officers to a three-member committee that is headed by the Chief Minister and two bureaucrats, effectively putting the elected government in minority.

In its letter, the Vigilance Department also said that Kumar’s name was not in the list of officials who had applied for permission to attend the study tour and was “added later on”, and the L-G’S approval was not sought.

Sharma has been working on education policy with the AAP government for several years now.

“It's to be noted that Shailendra Sharma doesn't even take a salary from the government, and has been relentlessly working towards Delhi government’s unwavering pursuit of ensuring quality education for Delhi's children. He has been working in the field of education for over 22 years, ranging from community based work and research to policy reform with the government. He is a fellow at Salzburg Global Seminar and part of its global Education Policy Network… Unlike the Bjp-ruled states where such positions are awarded on political consideration, the AAP government appointed him on his sheer merit,” a statement issued by AAP said.

Shailendra Sharma