Pralhad Joshi assumes charge as Union Education Minister day after President approves Pradhan's resignation
PTC News Desk: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi officially assumed charge as the Minister of Education at Kartavya Bhavan on Sunday. In addition to the Education Ministry, he continues to oversee the Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Joshi was appointed Education Minister on Saturday after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers. A Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka's Dharwad constituency, Joshi has previously served as the Union Minister for Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs.
The resignation of Pradhan was accepted with immediate effect, and Prahlad Joshi will continue to hold the existing portfolio along with the in-charge of the Education Ministry.
"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio," an official release by Rashtrapati Bhavan stated.
The leadership change comes after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down, saying he had resigned in the interest of students. He said he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the ongoing protests over alleged examination irregularities were not misused by "anti-national forces."
Pradhan's resignation follows weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with students demanding greater transparency, accountability, and reforms in the examination system.
Meanwhile, the CJP announced it has called off its 37-day protest at Jantar Mantar "in good faith," following Pradhan's resignation from the Council of Ministers and after receiving assurances from the government on its remaining demands.
- With inputs from agencies
