HRD in fix to accept ICHR chairman’s resignation

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry is in a fix over the resignation row of Indian Council of Historical Research’s (ICHR) chairman Y Sudershan Rao, who had served as the head of the Andhra Pradesh chapter of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"Given that Human Resource Development Ministry is yet to find a person fit for the post, the resignation of Rao has not been accepted," sources in the ministry said. 

According to sources, the buzz is that the Sangh is in favour of retaining Rao as the head of the premier institute for historical research. So, the RSS has asked the HRD Ministry to have a fresh look into the matter and consider the demands made by Rao, they added.

Even though, the post of ICHR chairperson is honorary and none of its previous heads have drawn any income for serving the position, Rao had resigned in November last year for being denied an honorarium of Rs 1.5 lakh per month.

In his resignation letter addressed to Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, Rao had stated: “I tender my apologies for causing this inconvenience midway to the government. I relinquish this office with some satisfaction that I could do some good work in ICHR during my term.”

The proposal to grant Rao an honorarium was first mooted during the 81st meeting of the General Council of ICHR on September 23.

According to the minutes of the meeting, all ICHR members “unanimously resolved” to recommend “the grant of suitable honorarium as a token of respect” for the chairman, and the proposal was forwarded to the Human Resource Development Ministry for “consideration”.