Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia writes to LG again, seeks approval of proposal to send teachers to Finland

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday wrote another letter to Governor VK Saxena asking him to approve the proposal to send teachers of Delhi government schools to Finland for a training programme. Citing government rules, Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, said the LG "cannot delay such proposals" for more than 15 days.

“It has been a month since the LG (Lieutenant Commander) shelved the teacher training proposal. As per Rule 49 of the amended Transaction of Business of GNCTD 2021, in case of difference of opinion between the LG and the Minister on any matter, the LG must endeavor to resolve the difference of opinion through discussions within 15 days,” he said. in his letter to Saxena.

He claimed that the LG raised objections to the proposal and stayed the file twice despite receiving the government's approval. Sisodia has already written to LG at least twice over the issue.“Under the Constitution and Transaction of Business Rules 1993, education is a devolved subject and GNCTD has sole executive control over it. Therefore, the LG has no powers to take any decision in the matter of education,” said the Aam Aadmi Party leader. If the LG disagrees with any decision of any minister, "he may refer the matter to the President", Sisodia said in his letter. “…but before he forwards the matter, he must try to resolve it through discussion with the concerned minister and forward the matter to the Council of Ministers,” he said.

Sisodia mentioned that if the difference of opinion persists, the matter is to be brought before the Council of Ministers, which will then discuss the matter within 10 days and take a decision. “If the matter still remains unresolved or the Council of Ministers fails to decide within the stipulated period, the difference of opinion is deemed to persist and the matter must be referred to the LG for a final decision under Rule 50,” he said. Urging the LG to return the file and start the process of sending teachers abroad, the Deputy Chief Minister said the Delhi government's decision to send its teachers to Finland for training was final. On January 20, the Delhi government sent a proposal to the LG's office to allow teachers to visit Finland after Saxena asked the government to first conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the program.