New Delhi: The term of NITI Aayog director Urvashi Prasad, who in June this year wrote and later deleted a post on X (formerly Twitter) critical of former Union minister Smriti Irani, has not been granted an extension, ThePrint has learnt.
Prasad, whose term ends 16 August, had in a now-deleted post on X alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader “threw her out of her office” and that her behaviour as a public servant and woman was “nothing less than abhorrent”.
Asked for her willingness to continue in June this year, as is common practice, Prasad had indicated that she was open to an extended term with the federal think tank, sources told ThePrint, adding that in most cases the decision on whether to grant an extension or not is communicated to the person concerned within 15-20 days of their response.
Prasad, however, was notified about her last working day Thursday, after having received no official communication in this regard since her response in June.
“It is a huge game. Many informed her that it was because of her deleted tweet, but nothing has been revealed officially. All of us know what happened. It is unfortunate that this occurred. How can someone wield so much power where a tweet of dissent leads to removal of a director with an impeccable record?” an official said on condition of anonymity.
It is learnt that the email sent to Prasad Thursday merely mentions that the decision to not grant her an extension was taken by ‘competent authorities’.
Those familiar with the matter also alleged that no action was taken at the time of her post on X because it would have been seen as a ‘blatant misuse of power’.
“Why would you seek an official confirmation of continuation if you had no intention to grant an extension?” asked a second official.
In a now-deleted post on X, Prasad had in June recounted her experience with Irani’s “sheer arrogance” during a 2019 visit to offer recommendations to enhance the performance of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which Irani was heading.
She expressed her hope that Irani’s “spectacular defeat” in Amethi would serve as a lesson in humility, should she continue to serve in government. Additionally, she criticised Irani’s conduct as a public representative, particularly as a woman, describing it as “abhorrent”.
Prasad has been a director at the NITI Aayog since January 2023.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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