RULES FLOUTED TO PAY SALARY

RULES FLOUTED TO PAY SALARY

6-SEP-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA---------------------------While the Bihar government is making new appointments of BPSC and 'Vishisht' (special category) teachers to strengthen the education system, instances of administrative bias and irregularities are surfacing at the grassroots level. The latest case comes from the Government-run Middle School in Bhadaula, Kudra Block, Kaimur district, where serious allegations of rule violations and bias have been leveled against the Block Education Officer (BEO) office.

Same Situation, Two Different Decisions: Two teachers working at the school—Kumari Alka Pathak (a 'Vishisht' teacher) and Mrs. Sneha Bhatt (a BPSC teacher)—both went on medical leave due to health reasons.

Consistent Stance by the Headmaster: At the school level, the Headmaster clearly recorded 'medical leave' in the absence reports for both teachers and forwarded the files to the BEO office.

Violation of Rules: According to the regulations, paid medical leave is not admissible during the three-year probation period; such leave should be sanctioned as 'Leave Without Pay' (LWP).

Allegation of Bias: The medical leave of Kumari Alka Pathak, who is serving a three-year probation, was not only approved but her salary was also released. In contrast, the salary of BPSC teacher Mrs. Sneha Bhatt has been withheld to this day.

Intervention by Local Representative: Dilip Kumar Singh, the Sarpanch of Bhadaula Panchayat, has submitted a written application to the Kudra BEO demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter.

This incident has raised serious questions regarding the department's functioning. Local teachers allege that decisions in the office are being made based on favoritism rather than adherence to files and rules.

Under which rule or medical board order was Alka Pathak granted paid leave while on probation? If a salary can be paid during probation, what is the motive behind withholding Sneha Bhatt's salary? Teachers' associations have demanded that the District Education Officer (DEO) and the District Magistrate (DM) of Kaimur intervene in this matter.

They have called for punitive action against the guilty clerk and concerned officials responsible for the illegal salary payment, as well as the recovery of the misappropriated government funds. Furthermore, they demand that the withheld salary of the aggrieved teacher, Sneha Bhatt, be released within 24 hours.

If impartial action is not taken regarding this serious matter within seven days, teachers—under the joint banner of the Bihar State Elementary Teachers' Association and the BPSC Teachers' Association—will stage vigorous protests and lockouts at the DEO office (Kaimur) and the BDO office (Kudra); the Education Department will bear full responsibility for the consequences.