Crisis in Bihar's Higher Education: Bank accounts frozen, VC salaries withheld

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The Bihar government has taken stringent action against state-run universities, except one, by freezing their bank accounts and withholding the salaries of their vice-chancellors. Read details below

The Bihar government has taken stringent action against state-run universities, except one, by freezing their bank accounts and withholding the salaries of their vice-chancellors. This drastic measure follows their absence from a crucial review meeting convened by the education department.

According to a letter issued by Education Secretary Baidyanath Yadav, VCs of all universities except Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University were summoned for the meeting to address pressing matters such as pending examinations. Failure to attend has prompted the department to demand explanations within two days, threatening FIRs against non-compliant authorities.

The letter, obtained by PTI, outlines the department's decision to suspend salary payments and instruct banks to cease operations on university accounts until further notice. Furthermore, examination controllers of all universities, excluding Magadh University and Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, were also notified of the issue.

Expressing strong disapproval, the department criticized the absent VCs, labeling their conduct as a failure to fulfill public service duties. Despite repeated attempts, Bihar Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary remained unreachable for comment.

This action mirrors a similar move last August when the state government halted salaries for the VC and pro-VC of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University in Muzaffarpur. Allegations of neglecting educational institution inspections and missing a departmental review meeting led to the freezing of their accounts and salaries.