Indian  School Controversy Special Edition The recent decision by the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman to revoke what is believed to be controversial agreement between the Indian Ambassador in Ranjith Guptha (1992) and two private promoters Viz. the Hindu Mahajan Association and P. Mohammed Ali- has intensified the ongoing cold war between the Indian Ambassador in his capacity as the patron of Indian schools and majority of board members on one hand and two prominent private promoters and the board members representing them in the Indian School Board. Full Report MoUs of Indian School Al Ghubra, Indian School Wadi Kabir Revoked Strictly Following Board Meeting Norms. The decision by the Board of Directors (BoD) to cancel the controversial agreements between a former Ambassador and two private promoters was passed as per the existing rules and regulations, claim School sources. The Board of Directors implemented the decision of the Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman, contained in the Ministry's directive to the Indian schools - document dated June 25, 2002 No 546 and reiterated by the Minister of Education vide his directive to the Ambassador of India and Patron of the Indian Schools in Oman dated July 9, 2002. Taking the legal responsibility and accountability for and direct supervision by the Board of Directors of the Indian Schools in Oman in respect of all the Indian schools in Oman the board passed the crucial resolution to cancel the agreements between the Ambassador and private promoters "because these agreements contravene Ministerial Decree No 116/91 governing Indian community schools. The Ministry has highlighted that the Oman Government has given permission exclusively for community schools. "Since the agreements on the basis of which the Indian School Al Ghubra and Indian School Wadi Kabir are currently operated by private promoters contravene the Omani laws, they are not enforceable. The Ministry of Education has never approved these two agreements," the resolution said. "In view of the above, the BoD cancelled the agreements with immediate effect and initiated appropriate and necessary steps to enable the transfer of Indian School Al Ghubra and Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir under the direct control and supervision of the Board of Directors of the Indian Schools in Oman in accordance with the Constitution and the Ministerial decree no 116/91. According to the resolution, the private promoters and School management committees of Indian School Al Ghubra and Indian School Wadi Kabir are to fully cooperate with the BoD and coordinate with the Embassy of India to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer to minimise disruption of the functioning of the schools. The Board also resolved to ensure compliance with all prevailing Omani laws and the rules and regulations of the BoD. "The Indian School system in the Sultanate of Oman as a whole and its branches and components will conduct all their operations and activities exclusively in accordance with the constitution and byelaws specifically approved by the Ministry of Education. The crucial resolution with far reaching implication was passed by six board members. They represented necessary qorum and a simple majority, claim the board members. According to the school constitution, when there is a voting on issues in which the board members are interested parties, they should keep away from voting. In this case, four board members representing the two private parties could not participate in voting for or against the resolution because they are the interested parties. The Chairman of the BoD approved the resolution and is recorded in the minutes of the meeting. It is said that even though the agreements with private promoters contained some clauses to have mutual consultation and notice period for canceling the agreement, the board cancelled what they called "illegal agreements" with private parties. "Since the agreements were made in violation of prevailing rules and regulations governing community schools, the BoD has the right to terminate them," claims board sources. "The arrow is already out of the bow and the attempt of private promoters is to delay the termination of their agreements" added sources.