Patna: The Bihar Finance Department has ordered a 100% verification of salary and allowance records of government school teachers, non-teaching employees and officials of the Education Department before the release of October salaries.
The decision follows the identification of discrepancies during an initial examination of salary-related data. The department has directed officials to verify the relevant records and establish accountability wherever irregular payments or financial irregularities are found.
The exercise is intended to strengthen transparency in salary payments and ensure that government funds are disbursed in accordance with applicable rules.
Verification to Be Completed Before October Salary Payments
The Finance Department has asked the Education Department to complete the verification process before October salaries are paid.
According to the report, the department’s Principal Secretary, Vinay Kumar, wrote to the Education Department Secretary, directing the department to ensure that salary and allowance records are checked in full.
The verification will cover officials of the Education Department, government school teachers and non-teaching staff. The Higher Education Department has been excluded from the scope of the directive.
Maker, Checker and Approver Roles Under Scrutiny
The verification will examine the responsibilities of all personnel involved in processing and approving salary payments.
The payment process generally involves three roles:
- Maker: Prepares salary and payment details.
- Checker: Reviews the details for accuracy and compliance.
- Approver: Gives final authorisation for payment.
Officials will examine whether records were correctly entered, supporting documents were verified and payments were approved in accordance with the rules.
If discrepancies are detected, the role of the personnel involved at each stage will be examined to determine whether there was an error, negligence or a deliberate violation of procedures.
Action Possible if Financial Irregularities Are Established
The Finance Department has emphasised that responsibility must be fixed if irregularities are confirmed.
Depending on the findings and the nature of the violation, the officials or employees concerned may face disciplinary proceedings or criminal action.
The department has also directed that excess amounts paid in violation of applicable rules be recovered. This means the review is intended not only to identify discrepancies but also to address any financial loss to the government, where established.
However, the verification is still an investigative exercise. The available report does not establish that any particular official or employee has been found guilty of wrongdoing.
Treasury Officials Also Asked to Take Action
The Finance Department has circulated the instructions to senior treasury officers across Bihar for necessary action.
Their involvement is expected to support scrutiny of salary records and strengthen oversight of the payment process.
The Education Department has been asked to treat the exercise as a priority and ensure compliance with the directions within the stipulated timeline.
What Teachers and Employees Should Know
Government school teachers and non-teaching employees whose salary records fall within the scope of the directive may see their payment details reviewed before October salaries are released.
The verification does not, by itself, mean that every employee’s salary will be withheld or that all discrepancies amount to misconduct. Any recovery or disciplinary action would depend on the findings of the review and the applicable rules.
The key outcome will be whether the exercise identifies errors, establishes responsibility where required and ensures that future salary payments are processed accurately.
