HC notice to Centre, CBSE on chairman's appointment

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the central government and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on a plea challenging the appointment of the CBSE chairman.

The plea alleged that the appointment was contrary to the recruitment rules.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath sought the response from the union human resource development ministry, CBSE, the personnel, public grievances and pensions ministry and CBSE chairperson Satbir Bedi on the plea by September 29.

The plea filed by the Independent Schools Federation of India sought to quash the order dated December 4 by which the controlling authority entrusted additional charge to Bedi on the post of chairman of CBSE.

The public interest litigation said Bedi's appointment was made without getting approval of the appointment committee of the cabinet (ACC).

It said that after Vineet Joshi completed his tenure in November, the controlling authority entrusted Bedi additional charges of CBSE chairman contrary to the recruitment rules and without approval of ACC.

"There was vacancy for the post of chairman - CBSE. According to the rules and regulations of CBSE, the controlling authority i.e. Centre, having the power to make appointment subject to the approval of the ACC.

"Even the controlling authority having power to make temporary arrangement for carrying on the duties of the office of chairman CBSE till the regular appointment or till the next meeting of the board," said the plea.

"The temporary arrangement is also subject to the approval of ACC until such arrangements have been made, the secretary, CBSE shall perform the duties of the chairman," it said.

The plea sought appropriate urgent steps to make regular appointment on the post of chairman of CBSE strictly in accordance with constitutional mandate and recruitment rules.