The Federation of University Teachers Associations of Bihar (FUTAB) has strongly criticized the state government's handling of salary and pension payments to thousands of teachers and non-teaching employees across universities and colleges. The federation has demanded an effective mechanism to ensure regular disbursal of funds.
Protest Warning
FUTAB warned that university teachers would stage a massive protest at university headquarters on July 1 if a robust system for timely payment is not put in place. The warning comes amid ongoing delays in salary and pension disbursement.
Government Grant and Ledger Issues
FUTAB working president Kanhaiya Bahadur Sinha and general secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh stated that following the chief minister's tough stand, the government released an ad hoc grant covering three months (March to May) on Tuesday night. However, the funds were deposited into a new pay and pension ledger created by the higher education department.
The new ledger cannot be operationalized until all IDs from the old system are transferred, a process that will take time. As a result, teachers and staff are likely to receive payments only after about a week. Had universities been informed in advance, they could have made the necessary changes in time, the federation leaders added.
Allegations of Administrative Lapses
Alleging administrative lapses, Sinha and Singh said, "Such tactics reflect flawed intent and an empty treasury." They pointed out that just a week ago, the chief minister had stated that salaries and pensions are constitutional rights that should not be delayed due to procedural hurdles. However, officials failed to act accordingly.
The federation reiterated its demand for a transparent and efficient payment system to prevent future delays and ensure that teachers and employees receive their rightful dues on time.
