New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has "in principle" approved Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's travel to the US to attend an education convention, but noted "lack of clarity" on who would bear his visit's expenses, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday. The proposal, moved by the Delhi government's Department of Education for the visit, came to the lieutenant governor (L-G) for approval after Sisodia's approval, they said.
Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, had expressed his willingness to attend the TESOL Education Convention in City of Portland in the US along with some officials. "The proposal lacks clarity as to who will bear the expenses of Sisodia's visit. While in one para, the department has noted that 'all expenses of the visit by Deputy CM will be borne by TESOL and there will be no financial liability on the government', a subsequent para further says that, 'all expenses of the visit by Hon'ble Deputy CM will be borne by the GAD (General Administration Department), GNCTD (Delhi government)'," an official said.
Noting that both these statements were contradictory, Saxena gave "in principle" approval for the proposed visit, "subject to the requisite clearances from ministries in the Centre concerned, including FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) clearances from the central government, as is the case with every foreign visit undertaken by any minister or officer of any state", the official said.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday, accusing him of making "false allegations" against the education department and "mocking" the teachers working in the national capital. In a letter to Saxena, Sisodia said the LG's letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote with a political motive that his "false allegations" against the education department were an "insult" to the students and teachers of Delhi.
"The LG wrote the letter with a political motive and said that no work has been done in the Education Department of Delhi. His allegations are an insult to the students and teachers of Delhi. I am requesting the LG not to mock the work of our teachers, who have done wonders in the department," Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, wrote to Saxena. (with Agency inputs)
