Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Friday defended her Ministry’s decision to reject the names of three corporate stalwarts — Chairman of the Board of Directors of Infosys R. Seshasayee, Chairman of HDFC Deepak Parekh, and Hero MotoCorp CMD Pawan Munjal — who were recommended by a search panel for the Chairman’s post at IIM Ahmedabad.

On the grounds for the rejection, Irani said, “I am of the opinion that I would not like to give credence to supposed headlines. I will only say this that it is the right of institutions to propose certain names giving valid reasons and if valid stands are not found then we have the right and the authority to ask for a reason. That possibly can be the only interface that the Ministry has, at the level of the Joint Secretary, with an institution.” It is not something that is scaled up to the Minister, she added. Irani was speaking to reporters at a press conference to highlight the achievements of her Ministry over the last two years.

Education policy On the new education policy, Irani said, “We received suggestions from 1.10 lakh villages. 20 States also wrote to us. After that we set up a committee to study the suggestions received and give additional suggestions from their side. When we started the stakeholder consultation process, we promised States that the Ministry will receive their opinion first before making the policy public. States are yet to send their feedback. We do not want to break the bridge built between the Centre and States.”

The Minister’s response came after former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian wrote to her asking her to make public the panel’s report containing suggestions for the new national education policy — or else he will.

She added, “The education policy will not become an attempt to become the legacy of one individual who seeks a headline…The recommendations have to be shared with the States first before it is made a draft policy.”

Irani also highlighted the Ministry’s achievements under schemes such as Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, Kala Utsav, National Institutional Ranking Framework, Know Your College Portal, among others.

“We are planning to a launch a student tracking system — Shala Asmita Yojana — in order to enhance the quality of education. In conjunction with States, we aim to create the world’s largest student tracking system. This will also monitor attendance of teachers and non-teaching staff.”

For Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Irani said faculty from prestigious foreign institutions will aid state universities and colleges in upgrading their curriculum.

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