After a prolonged period of inaction, the Education Department has finally addressed the issue of six individuals nominated for principal positions in Delhi schools who failed to report for document verification. Despite receiving multiple reminders over the past nine months, these candidates did not comply, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The Directorate of Education issued a circular canceling the candidatures of these individuals, who had been nominated via the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on March 27, 2023. The initial schedule for document verification was posted on March 6, 2023, with the candidates expected to appear on March 12, 2023, and an additional date of March 17 for those unable to attend the first session.
Despite continuous follow-ups and a final reminder in June, none of the candidates responded. The circular specifically mentioned Kusum Lata Meena, stating, "She failed to appear for document verification even after more than 9 months. Therefore, the candidature of Kusum Lata Meena is hereby cancelled with immediate effect. No claim for appointment, if made at any later stage on any grounds, will be entertained by the department in the future."
The cancelled candidates include Kusum Lata Meena, Sanjay Kumar Barnwal, Ram Prasad Meena, Om Prakash, Ajay Sampatrao Chaukikar, and Manju Lata. Shingare Ramchandra Mahadev, the Additional Director of Education who signed the notifications, has not responded to inquiries regarding the matter.
In a related issue, several principals in Delhi government schools remain in their positions despite being named in a 2023 FIR for submitting fake and fabricated certificates. Both the Education Department and the police have yet to take action, even after eight months. The case has reached the Delhi High Court, which has issued notices to 32 implicated principals, demanding their responses based on a public interest litigation (PIL).
This delay and lack of action have left six schools without appointed principals for over a year, highlighting significant administrative shortcomings within the Education Department.