Real reason why PM Modi picked Prakash Javadekar over Smriti Irani for HRD ministry

NEW DELHI: New HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and his predecessor Smriti Irani had controversial tenures in their respective ministries: The former was criticised for compromising environmental interests to push projects while implementing PMO’s action plan, while the latter was mired in controversies and unable to implement the much-needed reforms in education.

Irani started off with a controversy over claims of possessing a Yale degree and soon went to overturn the FYUP course format at Delhi University against the wishes of the VC and UGC. Her public calling out of academics like Anil Kakodkar and more recent ire against ex-cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian did not add sheen to her profile. Controversies surrounded her handling of the campus unrest at Hyderabad Central University and JNU. But Irani’s tenure saw reforms in technical education and to an extent in bringing technology to schools, though many may argue that she has not left any definitive mark on the sector. Her ministry and the PMO were on different pages when the former blocked autonomy drives at IIMs and proposed new world-class universities while the PMO advocated absolute liberalisation from the regulatory regime.

Also read: Smriti Irani — stunning rise and a sudden demotion

Javadekar, on the other hand, worked in consonance with the PMO vision and strategy for environment, though he was criticised by activists and environmentalists for doling out green clearances and prioritising projects over which there were environmental concerns.

Bringing Javadekar to HRD may, therefore, speed up things in a sector that takes a while to see impact of policy changes. It may ensure that the PMO’s vision for education may find speedier implementation and mark a turning point in the sector before the 2019 polls.