Patna: The Bihar State Sanskrit Education Board, Bihar State Madrasa Education Board, and several other commissions, including the Bihar State Minority Commission, Bihar State Women’s Commission, and Bihar State Child Labor Commission, are set to be dissolved. The relevant bills received approval from the legislative assembly on Thursday, following discussions prompted by concerns raised by opposition members.
Upon dissolution of these boards and commissions, the state government will appoint an administrator to manage their affairs, equivalent to a secretary-level officer. This administrator will have the authority to issue directives or guidance to the government, and such directives will be binding.
In response to the changes, the government will form a committee of experts to propose restructuring measures. This committee will submit its recommendations to the government within one month, and the government will have the authority to accept these recommendations with necessary modifications. The accepted recommendations will be implemented through orders, notifications, or resolutions.
The amended laws stipulate that within two months of receiving the committee’s report, the state government is mandated to reconstitute the commissions under Section 3 of the Act. Furthermore, despite the prescribed tenure, the state government retains the power to dissolve the commissions at any time.
The approved bills in the Bihar Legislative Assembly include amendments for the following commissions:
1. Bihar State Child Labor Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024
2. Bihar Sanskrit Education Board (Amendment) Bill 2024
3. Bihar State Madrasa Education Board (Amendment) Bill 2024
4. Bihar State Minority Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024
5. Bihar State Women’s Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024
Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary addressed concerns, emphasizing that the amendments do not alter the current curriculum in Sanskrit or Madrasa schools. He highlighted that if students in these schools choose to pursue additional courses in science, humanities, or vocational subjects, it should be welcomed.
Minister Chaudhary also dismissed objections raised by opposition members, stating that supporting these amendments is synonymous with advocating for the proper education of minority community children. He assured that under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the NDA government in Bihar remains committed to this cause. The minister noted that the responsibility, previously held by a special director upon board dissolution, is now delegated to a higher-ranking bureaucrat at the secretary level. This shift is intended to streamline administrative processes.
