DARK DIWALI FOR UNPAID TEACHERS
An astounding 37,000 teachers and employees of universities and colleges in Bihar may not celebrate Diwali this year. The reason: They have not received their salaries for the last five months.
WITH INSTITUTIONS CLOSING ON OCT 29 AND REOPENING ONLY AFTER CHHATH, IT IS UNCERTAIN THAT THE SALARIES WILL BE PAID ON TIME
PATNA: An astounding 37,000 teachers and employees of universities and colleges in Bihar may not celebrate Diwali this time – the reason, they have not received salaries for the past five months.
The delay in passing the annual budget for universities is said to be the root cause. Though on September 27, the cabinet cleared a `2,219-crore budget, almost six months after commencement of the new fiscal, the backlog salary is yet to reach the teachers.
With all institutions closing for Diwali on October 29 and reopening only on November 9 after Chhath, it is uncertain that the salaries will be paid on time.
Though the finance department agreed to give relaxation of three months to the universities for submission of utilisation certificates, the mandatory cabinet nod is yet to be obtained.
The hitch, according to finance department sources, is over adjustment of around `100 crore.
“There is an automatic computer-generated objection to any outstanding amount over 18-month old, and only the cabinet can override it,” they added.
Sources said the matter was on the agenda of the last cabinet, but could not be taken up due to some incongruities in the note.
“A fresh note will be sent for cabinet clearance on Thursday,” said an official, lamenting that it was virtually impossible to ensure payment before Diwali.
“It happens with teachers and teachers only - be it in schools or colleges. It’s not a government priority,” said Prof NK Choudhary.
“The shuttling of files between finance and education departments has taken a toll on the teachers. Neither the education minister nor the VCs are concerned,” said A Kumar, general secretary of the All India Federation of University and Colleges Teachers’ Organisations.
“If there is any problem, accountability should be fixed. Why penalise all?” asked Federation of University Teachers’ Association of Bihar president KB Sinha.