Patna: More than 3,000 contract teachers (Niyojit Shikshaks) in Bihar have been found to have secured government jobs using forged educational certificates, according to the Vigilance Investigation Bureau. Authorities have registered 1,830 FIRs so far, and the process of dismissing the accused teachers from service is underway.
The large-scale verification exercise was initiated following allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of contract teachers appointed in government schools between 2006 and 2015.
The certificate verification drive was ordered after the Patna High Court directed the Vigilance Investigation Bureau to examine the educational credentials of the appointed teachers. Following the court’s directive, the bureau began scrutinising the certificate records of teachers recruited across all districts of the state.
Speaking during Vigilance Awareness Week, Director General of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, Jitendra Singh Gangwar, said that nearly 6.7 lakh educational certificates belonging to around 3.5 lakh teachers have been verified so far.
The investigation has resulted in the registration of 1,830 FIRs, while 3,035 accused individuals have been identified during the course of the probe.
Officials said the verification process involved examining academic certificates issued by 378 education boards and universities from across India as well as Nepal, making it one of the largest credential verification exercises undertaken by the state.
Dismissal Process Underway
Authorities have initiated the process of terminating the services of teachers found to have obtained appointments using fake certificates. Further legal action against those identified in the investigation is also expected.
Vigilance Expansion Planned
The Bihar government is also planning to strengthen its anti-corruption infrastructure. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced that vigilance police stations will be established in all districts of the state.
According to officials, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau has begun work on the proposal, which will soon be submitted to the Vigilance Department for approval.
The bureau has also proposed setting up a regional vigilance office in each divisional headquarters. At present, vigilance courts operate only in Patna, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur, and the government is considering increasing their number to facilitate quicker disposal of vigilance cases.
