nWith the electioneering process over in the national Capital and Arvind Kejriwal back at the helm, the Union HRD Ministry is now planning to pursue the initiation of administrative action against a former Central Government employee, currently working as Professor and Dean at Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), falling under the purview of the Delhi Government.
The don, Professor Sitanshu Shekar Jena, was held guilty of sexual harassment at workplace by HRD Ministry’s Internal Complaints Committee during his tenure as Chairman of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Subsequently, IGNOU, parent cadre, had punished him by reducing his pay band and increments.
There are allegations in the complaints to the HRD Ministry and the Delhi Government that Jena concealed the punishment fact when applying for the post at AUD. Further, he also did not inform his parent department while applying to AUD. And to facilitate his appointment in AUD, he applied for VRS from IGNOU.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, as Education Minister in his last tenure, had initiated a probe a year ago and a report was to be submitted within seven days but which hasn’t been done so far. The inordinate delay in the proceedings has now led the HRD Ministry to pursue the matter as it has received complaints against the AUD Professor.
Jena was appointed by the Delhi Government as Professor and Dean in the AUD School of Vocational Studies almost two years ago. A senior official said now that the elections are over and the Delhi Government is in place, the matter will be expedited and taken up in the first meeting of Education Ministry.
For his part, Jena said he was not aware of the complaints and such matters against him. “I am not a Central Government employee anymore as I have already taken VRS from IGNOU three years ago. When the case, which is being talked about now, has already been settled then no controversy stands,” Jena told The Pioneer over phone.
Under the Government rules, sexual harassment invokes a major punishment which includes dismissal from service. IGNOU recently took strict action against an official found guilty of sexual harassment by immediately suspending him and then awarding a major punishment.
“As per the allegation of manipulation against Dr Jena, it was also stated that he was given undue favour by awarding a minor punishment and that too retrospectively which is against rules. Jena also has an inquiry of financial irregularity pending against him when he applied. The Delhi Government probe is expected to look into the role of AUD officials too,” sources said at the HRD Ministry.