Bihar Education Minister Announces Crackdown on School Furniture Scandal
In a significant development within the Bihar legislative council, Education Minister Sunil Kumar declared on Friday that stringent action will be taken against officials implicated in malpractice concerning the procurement and supply of benches and desks for government schools. This announcement came during his response to short-notice questions raised by opposition members.
Allegations of Corruption in School Furniture Supply
RJD MLC Abdul Bari Siddiqui brought forth serious concerns regarding the quality and quantity of school furniture being delivered to educational institutions. Multiple MLCs, including Nawal Kishore Yadav and Vanshidhar Brajwasi, alleged that substandard items were being supplied, and the actual quantities fell short of what was officially recorded. They further accused district officials of coercing headmasters into signing backdated documents to falsely reflect higher delivery numbers.
Minister Kumar assured the council that if misconduct is proven, appropriate disciplinary measures will be enforced. He referenced previous instances where similar actions had been taken and confirmed that a specialized team from the department headquarters would be deployed to thoroughly investigate these complaints and verify the allegations on the ground.
Implementation of 730-Day Child Care Leave
In a parallel and progressive move, Minister Kumar committed to issuing an official order within the next 15 days to enable women employees in the education department to avail 730 days of child care leave (CCL) throughout their service period. This decision aligns with a central government gazette notification and addresses long-standing demands from various quarters.
MLCs Sanjay Kumar Singh and Nawal Kishore Yadav had sought clarity on the implementation timeline, noting that despite recommendations from the Governor’s Secretariat and involvement of the Bihar State Higher Education Council, a final decision had been pending. Kumar revealed that he had personally reviewed the matter just a day prior and is now expediting the process to ensure swift execution.
Broader Concerns Raised in the Legislative Council
Leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Rabri Devi, utilized the platform to advocate for posting female teachers closer to their homes, a suggestion that the minister acknowledged and promised to consider. However, the session took a more contentious turn as opposition MLCs staged a protest outside the Vidhan Parishad, focusing on deteriorating law and order, particularly crimes against women.
Rabri Devi highlighted the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl in Patna, asserting that such incidents are becoming a daily occurrence. She referenced Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary’s earlier pledge to resign if criminals were not apprehended within 24 hours, criticizing his failure to ensure arrests. Additionally, Abdul Bari Siddiqui questioned the distinction between "Ram Rajya" and "Jungle Raj," alleging a complete lack of control over criminal activities in Bihar.
This legislative council meeting underscored critical issues in education administration and women's welfare, with the education minister taking proactive steps to address corruption and enhance employee benefits, while broader governance and security challenges remain points of intense debate.
