Bihar Raj Bhavan has intervened by instructing banks to overturn an education department directive that froze the accounts of state-run universities, except for one. This action follows reports of vice-chancellors from these universities failing to attend a recent review meeting convened by the education department.
Tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the education department have escalated, with authorities filing a police complaint against at least one of the vice-chancellors. Robert L Chongthu, principal secretary to the governor (also the chancellor of state universities), has directed banks to unfreeze the university accounts immediately, stating that the chancellor’s orders supersede those of the education department.
Previously, the education department froze the bank accounts of all state-run universities, excluding one, and withheld the salaries of vice-chancellors who allegedly skipped a review meeting in late February. The department’s letter to vice-chancellors demanded explanations for their absence within two days, threatening FIRs and continued salary withholding if satisfactory responses were not received.
Education secretary Baidyanath Yadav expressed strong dissatisfaction with the vice-chancellors’ absence, labeling it a failure to fulfill their duties as public servants. Additionally, a complaint was filed with the University Police station against the VC and other officials for non-attendance at the recent meeting.
Efforts to obtain comments from Bihar Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on the matter have been unsuccessful.
