Patna: In a recent move, the Bihar Education Department has halted the salaries of two Vice-Chancellors of state-run universities, S.P. Shahi of Magadh University and Krishna Chandra Sinha of Jai Prakash University. The decision comes in response to prolonged delays in result declarations affecting approximately 1.5 lakh students.
The order, issued by Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pathak, extends to Pro Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Controllers of Examinations, Finance Officers, and Finance Consultants of both universities.
Students faced numerous challenges due to the delayed results, prompting the department to take action.
Jai Prakash University plans to release UG Part III (2020-2023) results in January 2024 and PG Semester IV (2020-2022) results in March 2024. Magadh University aims to publish UG Part III (2020-2023) results in January 2024 and PG Semester III (2019-2021) along with Semester IV (2019-2021) in February 2024. The failure to adhere to these schedules led to the salary suspension.
Earlier, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reversed an order to freeze bank accounts of officials at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, leading to tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the State government.
A letter from Principal Secretary to the Governor, Robert L. Chongthu, urged Vice-Chancellors not to follow orders from sources other than the Raj Bhavan or the Governor’s Secretariat, asserting the autonomy of universities.
Governor Arlekar criticized the Education Department during a Teacher’s Day program, questioning how smooth operations could be ensured with a confrontational approach. He specifically raised concerns about a Secretary-level officer challenging the rights of the Chancellor.
The latest move by the Bihar Education Department underscores the ongoing challenges between educational institutions and governing authorities.
