Research institutes in poor condition: Minister

Patna: State education minister Sunil Kumar told the legislative council on Friday that the condition of research institutes in Bihar was not satisfactory and that the department would constitute a search committee in the current financial year to ensure competent appointments against existing vacancies. He added that the govt was considering granting financial autonomy to such institutes so that they could function effectively and find a place on the national research map.

The minister was replying to a starred question by Congress MLC Madan Mohan Jha, who said there had been no admissions for years at the Mithila Sanskrit Post Graduate Study and Research Institute due to a shortage of teachers. Jha said the institute had played a significant role in preserving the Indian knowledge tradition, but its academic office had remained closed for years. He also stressed the need to protect and preserve 12,500 rare manuscripts housed at the institute.


In response, the minister said the govt was working to revive all research institutes and, apart from forming a search committee, was extending financial support to improve infrastructure.

On a separate question by MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav regarding casual leave being clubbed with Sundays or other leave and counted accordingly, the minister said the necessary amendment would be made.

Concerns over cleanliness in govt schools were raised by MLC Jeevan Kumar, with other members alleging that agencies engaged for the work were not performing properly and were being paid without approval from principals. The Chairperson asked the govt to present a proper solution and suggested that, if feasible, appointments be made directly in schools instead of through agencies.

On the issue of transfer and posting of teachers, including those appointed or posted under the old pay scale in the state’s primary schools who were denied the facility, the minister said 2.50 lakh teachers had been transferred in Bihar and 75–80% were satisfied. He said further transfers and postings would be taken up after the budget session and described the exercise as a continuous process, adding that teachers with health issues or other concerns would be considered accordingly. He also said the issue of teachers falling under the old pay scale would be reviewed.

The matter of pending approvals for 140 pharmacy colleges was raised for the second consecutive day after members expressed dissatisfaction with the govt’s reply. MLCs Rajvardhan Azad, Ajay Kumar, Sanjay Singh and Neeraj Kumar said the colleges had been awaiting departmental clearance for four years, forcing students from Bihar to go outside the state to pursue bachelor’s or diploma courses in pharmacy. They demanded action against officials accused of delaying the process.

Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh directed members of the Upper House health committee to meet the concerned minister and work towards resolving the issue.