The Delhi government’s vigilance directorate issued a directive on Tuesday, with the approval of the competent authority, to revoke the appointment of the principal advisor to the education director on grounds of alleged illegality, according to officials.
In a letter released by the directorate, the education director has been instructed to collaborate with the finance department to explore means of recovering Rs 8.9 lakh spent on a foreign trip by the principal advisor in May 2022.
The competent authority, the Delhi Lt Governor, noted that the appointment of Shailendra Sharma as principal advisor to the director of education was made without adhering to the proper process of creating a suitable position and without conducting a fair and transparent selection procedure as per existing laws and guidelines.
“Consequently, the Education Department is directed to immediately revoke the appointment of Shailendra Kumar Sharma as Principal Advisor to the Director of Education, GNCTD,” stated the letter.
It further mentioned that the Education Department should examine the possibility of refunding the expenditure amounting to Rs 8,88,859 incurred during Sharma’s unauthorized foreign trip, in consultation with the finance department.
The expenses for the trip were covered by the Delhi Board of School Education, as stated.
Officials added that Sharma has been involved in various initiatives of the Arvind Kejriwal government in the education sector, such as the happiness curriculum, mission buniyad, teacher training, and school of excellence.
(With PTI inputs)
