Delhi’s Education Minister Atishi Marlena has moved Delhi High Court against ministries of the Central Government for allegedly delaying her travel clearances to the UK.
She has been invited in her official capacity by the prestigious Cambridge University to speak at a conference on India at 100: Towards Becoming a Global Leader to be held on June 15. Atishi is a Minister in the Council of Ministers, Government of NCT of Delhi, holding the portfolios of Education, Public Works Department, Power, Art, Culture, & Languages, Tourism, Women, & Child Development.
The plea stated that the respondent authorities are delaying travel clearances to the UK from June 14, 2023, to June 20, 2023. Therefore, urgent directions are required from the court to grant her the requisite clearance.
The petition stated that Atishi has been invited in her official capacity by the prestigious Cambridge University on June 15, and thereafter, she has arranged multiple visits to primary schools in the UK as well as meetings with potential teacher training partners, to make the most of her visit to the UK and ensure that Delhi›s children gain from best practices in primary school education abroad.
The discretion to grant or deny travel clearances to State ministers is exercised by the Union of India. The petitioner received an invitation dated May 10, 2023, from Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, to attend and speak at a conference organised by them on June 15, 2023.
«Subsequently, in accordance with the above-mentioned memorandum, the petitioner applied for relevant clearances. The administrative clearance for the petitioner›s request for travel dated 18.05.2023 was granted by the GNCTD.