A discord has intensified between the Raj Bhavan and the Education Department in Bihar. FIR applications against Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Examination Controllers of universities who failed to attend the Education Department’s summoned meeting have started pouring in.
The Education Department initiated the process of filing FIRs against these officials on Sunday. Notably, on February 28, a meeting was called by the Education Department, but officers were denied permission by the Raj Bhavan to attend. Subsequently, these university officials refrained from participating in the meeting. In response, the Education Department initially halted their salaries, followed by freezing the bank accounts of the respective universities.
However, on Sunday, the Vice-Chancellor lifted the freeze on the university accounts, overturning the Education Department’s decision.
Applications Against Them…
As of late Sunday evening, applications for filing FIRs have been submitted against the Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Examination Controllers of Lalit Narayan Mithila University in Darbhanga, Sanskrit University, Bihar University in Muzaffarpur, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, TM Bhagalpur University, BNMU in Madhepura, and Purnea University.
District Education Officers in these districts have filed FIR applications in the respective police stations. Additionally, an application for filing a FIR has been submitted against the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Examination Controller of BNMU. The District SP, Jagunath Reddy, confirmed that the District Education Officer has submitted the application, and legal action will be taken after due investigation.
What’s in the Applications…
In the applications submitted to the police stations, officers stated their intention to file complaints against the nominated individuals under the Bihar University Examination Conduct Act and the Indian Penal Code of 1860. The nominated individuals are accused of violating various provisions. The applications specifically mention negligence in exam conduct, failure to provide complete reports on delayed exams, withholding necessary information, deliberately avoiding information related to delayed exams, and refusal to conduct exams at the proper time. Legal action is sought under these provisions.
Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan Lifts Freeze on University Accounts
The President’s Secretary, RL Chogthu, has written to the respective bank managers of the universities, directing them to unfreeze the bank accounts of closed universities. This comes after the Vice-Chancellor overruled the freeze imposed by the Education Department. All university officials are urged to comply with the President’s orders.
Education Department to Investigate Financial Matters…
An investigation into the financial matters of all universities has been initiated by the Education Department. Teams of auditors have been appointed for this purpose. Rekha Kumari, the Director of Higher Education, has instructed the Registrars to provide records for auditing, including salary details, pending salaries, receipts, and expenditures.
