Pallam Raju skips key CABE meeting

HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju, who has submitted his resignation over the Telangana issue, today skipped the crucial CABE meeting which is deliberating on a host of issues including teacher trainings and review of mid- day meal programme in the country.

Minister of State for HRD Jitin Prasada is presiding over the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meet which is being attended by state Education Ministers, academicians and experts.

Raju, who has been skipping the official programmes ever since he submitted his resignation, had attended an award ceremony organised by his Ministry at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday to honour winners of 'Presidential Awards For Classical Tamil'.

He and his four Ministerial colleagues from the Seemandhra region had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday to press for their resignation but had got no word on its acceptance. Raju had skipped Tuesday's Union Cabinet meeting.

Close aides of Raju had said that he attended the function organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Darbar Hall as he would not like to show any disrespect to the President.

President Pranab Mukherjee had distributed the awards.

Raju has refused to join office ever since he resigned from the Union Council of Ministers.

According to sources, Raju's absence could result in the meeting deferring decisions on important proposals.

While Raju is staying put at his official residence, officials are chairing meetings on his behalf.

Several of his official engagements have been cancelled following his resignation, officials said.