Two-thirds of state’s new ministers hold graduate or higher degrees: ADR report

Patna: A total of 67% of ministers in the Bihar cabinet hold graduation, post-graduation, or higher degrees while seven have passed Class XII and one is Matriculate only. Samrat Choudhary, one of the deputy chief ministers of Bihar, has a doctorate degree, while his counterpart, Vijay Kumar Sinha, holds a diploma in engineering. The data were revealed by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) after analysing the self-sworn affidavits of 24 out of 27 ministers, including the chief minister, from the Bihar state assembly. Ashok Choudhary of JD(U) is a PhD holder, while Pramod Kumar of BJP is a law graduate (LLB) and Deepak Prakash of RLM holds an engineering degree in computer science.

According to the data released by the ADR, “CM Nitish Kumar is an engineer who took his BSc (engg) degree from Bihar College of Engineering, Patna University in 1973, while his deputy CMs and BJP leaders, Vijay Kumar Sinha holds a civil engineering diploma from State Polytechnic Begusarai, science and technology dept, Bihar govt in 1989, and Samrat has Doctor of Litt (honorary) from PFC Kamraj University.”

Other PhD holders in the state cabinet are BJP MLC, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, who completed his PhD from B N M University, Madhepura during 1996-1998. Another PhD holder is from Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM-secular), Santosh Kumar Suman, who holds a PhD degree from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya. Suman, son of HAM-S supremo Jitan Ram Manjhi, is an MLC.

Other postgraduate ministers include Arun Shankar Prasad of BJP, who won from Khajauli seat and is a post-graduate from L N M University, Darbhanga in 1987. Sanjay Singh (Tiger) of BJP, who won the Ara seat, is a post-graduate from A N College in Patna, affiliated to Magadh University, Bodh Gaya in 1993.

Shreyasi Singh of BJP, who won the Jamui seat, completed her MBA from Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies in 2018, while Sunil Kumar of JD(U) from Bhore (SC) constituency is an MA (History) from St Stephens College, Delhi University in 1984. Vijay Kumar Choudhary of JD(U), who was elected from Sarairanjan constituency, is a post-graduate from Patna University in 1980.

The Class XII pass ministers include Nitin Nabin of BJP from Bankipore constituency, BJP’s Rama Nishad and Surendra Mehta from Aurai and Bachhwara constituencies respectively.

Other undergraduate ministers from JD(U) are Bijendra Prasad Yadav from Supaul, Leshi Singh from Dhamdaha, Md Zama Khan from Chainpur, and Shrawon Kumar from Nalanda seat.

The only class-10 pass minister in the cabinet is Narayan Prasad from Nautan constituency.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here