The Gujarat government has launched an investigation into Bhavna Patel, a government schoolteacher from Panchha village in Banaskantha district, who is alleged to have remained on the payroll despite residing in the US and being absent from duty for nearly eight years.
According to reports, Patel has only reported to the primary school for a month each year while taking unauthorized leave for the rest of the time. This situation came to light after the in-charge principal, Parul Mehta, brought the matter to the attention of local media.
Education Minister Kuber Dindor has ordered a thorough probe into the allegations. "I have ordered an inquiry and sought a report from district officials. We do not allow such practice. If found guilty of unauthorised absence, we will punish the teacher and recover the salary she was paid,” Dindor said, as quoted by NDTV.
Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya confirmed that Patel has not received any salary since January and emphasized that the teacher's continued payroll status despite her extended leave is under scrutiny
The issue surfaced when Mehta submitted a letter to the District Education Officer, Vinubhai Patel, highlighting Patel's repeated absences and her continued payroll status despite living abroad since 2016.
The District Education Officer noted that Patel was last on duty in January before returning to the US and has since been on unauthorized leave. The official added that Patel's recent explanation for her absence was deemed unsatisfactory, and further action will be taken under state regulations.
