HRD ministry's degree row to affect Modi goverment's education revamp

New Delhi: HRD minister of state R.S. Katheria is understood to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, which is rooting for large-scale reforms in the education sector.

Ms Irani is currently on a tour of the Bahamas to attend a Commonwealth education ministers’ conference where she is due to address the main plenary session.

All further developments are expected only after she is back in the country. It is learnt that senior figures in the government are keeping a close eye on the developing situation.

Sources said the Narendra Modi government’s plans for wide-ranging reforms in education could be in jeopardy if the two ministers face any adverse action. The HRD ministry is engaged in a nationwide consultation process for a complete revamp of the education system and is planning to bring in a new national education policy.

The HRD ministry is regarded as one of the Modi government’s key ministries, and any action against the Cabinet minister could hit the Centre’s long-term plans for this sector.