Controversy stalks HRD secy Kaw again, may cost him his post

Controversy stalks HRD secy Kaw again, may cost him his post
Santwana Bhattacharya

New Delhi, January 21: Human Resource Development (HRD) Secretary M.K. Kaw has never been too far from controversy. Now, his penchant for running smack into a row not once but twice may just cost him his post. Kaw, who is slated to retire around September this year, might get marching orders from the ministry in advance itself, said sources. This despite the fact that HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi himself is on a fire-fighting mission on Kaw's behalf.

First, Kaw aired his views on value-based education by linking it to religious practices that amounted to an attack on single book religions like Islam and Christianity. The article was published in the official NCERT journal Valued-based Education, which is supposed to outline the government's education's policy. The PMO moved swiftly to block the article, which created ``unnecessary controversy at an inopportune time'', and the HRD Ministry and NCERT had to hold back left-over copies of the journal from circulation.

The latest controversy up Kaw's street is a contempt notice served by the Delhi High Court. Kaw had failed to reply to a petition challenging the sweeping powers given to the chairperson of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sansthan in violation of the rules. The Kendriya Vidyalaya, with a budget of Rs 350 crore, is suppose to function according to specific directions from the board.

The government counsel contended that Kaw could not file his reply due to a communication gap. Kaw himself was unavailable for comment.