Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jun 20: Behind-the-scene tussle that was on between two senior IAS officers of education department spilled into the open on Tuesday June 19 morning in the presence of the new primary and secondary education minister, Mahesh.
Dr Shalini Rajneesh happens to be the principal secretary in the department of primary and secondary education while C Shikha is the director of PU Board. Both of them exchanged strong words on Tuesday as the minister looked on helplessly in the presence of media persons. The occasion was the first ever meeting convened by minister, Mahesh, to provide information to the media about certain issues relating to education department. This incident created discomfiture for the minister.
Their differences relate to giving permission for PU colleges. In her capacity as director of PU education, C Shikha had denied permission to about 200 colleges citing lack of infrastructure. But, principal secretary, Dr Shalini Rajneesh, reviewed these files, revised the orders and gave sanctions to open 84 of these colleges.
Relating to this issue, the media representatives wanted to know why the decision of the director of PU education was reviewed. The minister, who was unaware of these things, was caught off guard. Shalini sought clarification from Shikha to which she said she gave her decisions against opening of about 200 colleges for want of infrastructure. Shalini then got angry with the media and claimed that she has the right to review decisions taken by the PU director. While director, Shikha, sought to remain silent, Shalini Rajneesh justified her step. While Shikha pointed out that many rejections were because of the rule that there should not be any government PU college within three kilometres, Shalini stressed she was within her powers to approve the files, although it seemed that she was not right.
The minister tried to broker peace by asking the officers to forget the differences. Before ending the press conference, he said he will look into the issue of permission given to 84 new PU colleges and settle the matter.