The conflict between Bihar Raj Bhavan and the state's education department has taken a dramatic turn as Bihar Raj Bhavan intervened to unfreeze the bank accounts of state-run universities.
This development follows a contentious order from the education department that had frozen the accounts of all universities except one, stemming from the alleged absence of vice-chancellors (VCs) from a review meeting.
According to reports, the conflict escalated further when authorities lodged a police complaint against at least one VC, signaling the intensification of the standoff between the Raj Bhavan and the education department.
Robert L Chongthu, the principal secretary to the governor, who also serves as the chancellor of state universities, issued a directive to banks ordering the immediate unfreezing of university accounts. In a letter addressed to banks, Chongthu explicitly stated that the chancellor had instructed the withdrawal of the education department's orders.
The genesis of this conflict lies in the education department's decision to freeze the accounts and withhold the salaries of VCs following their alleged absence from a crucial review meeting convened by the department in late February. The department's stringent action was meted out to all VCs, except the VC of Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University.
The education department's letter to the VCs, excluding one university, sought explanations for their absence from the meeting, warning of potential FIRs and salary withholdings if satisfactory replies were not received within two days. Additionally, banks were instructed to suspend all operations related to university accounts until further notice.
Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the VCs' absence, the letter from education secretary Baidyanath Yadav to all universities, except two, highlighted their failure to discharge duties as public servants.
The conflict deepened when Samar Bahadur Singh, the Darbhanga District Education Officer, filed a police complaint against the VC, Examination Controller, and other officials for their failure to attend the critical meeting.
Despite attempts to seek clarification, Bihar Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary remained unavailable for comment on the unfolding situation, adding to the intrigue surrounding this administrative feud.
As the standoff continues, it underscores broader issues of governance and accountability within the state's educational institutions. The clash between Bihar Raj Bhavan and the education department raises questions about the autonomy of universities, the role of public servants, and the mechanisms for resolving administrative disputes.
The unfolding events will likely have significant ramifications for the state's higher education landscape and the relationship between its academic institutions and governmental authorities.
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