Patna:The Bihar government is preparing a new financial management strategy to ensure timely salary payments for nearly six lakh school teachers across the state.
The education department has directed officials in its finance and accounts wing to develop a framework that would allow salaries to be paid on schedule even if the Centre’s share of funding is delayed.
Officials said the move is aimed at preventing disruptions in salary payments under any circumstances. At present, delays in the release of central funds occasionally affect the salary disbursal process.
Rs. 642 crore released for salary payments
The education department has released Rs. 642 crore for the payment of pending and regular salaries of teachers working in different districts.
Departmental sources said the government wants the salary payment system to become more streamlined and time-bound. Financial monitoring is also being strengthened to track fund availability and payment processes more closely.
Earlier allocation under Samagra Shiksha
The state government had earlier released RS. 1,050 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for salary payments covering April and May.
The allocation benefited teachers working under panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. Teachers and headmasters working in upgraded middle schools under district cadre graduate-trained pay scales were also covered under the scheme.
Officials said these teachers fall within the ambit of the Samagra Shiksha programme.
New directive on trained pay scale
The education department has also issued fresh instructions regarding trained pay scales for contractual teachers.
According to an order issued by Primary Education Director Vikram Virkar, teachers who completed training during the 2015–17 and 2017–18 sessions will become eligible for trained pay scales only after clearing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
The department clarified that trained pay scale benefits would be applicable from the date of confirmation only if the teacher has passed the TET examination.
Order follows Supreme Court ruling
The directive follows a Supreme Court order issued on January 16 this year in the case of State Government and Others vs Manoj Kumar and Others.
Following the ruling, the education department instructed district education officers and other officials to implement the revised guidelines.
Officials said the measures are expected to reduce disputes related to salary payments and service conditions while bringing greater clarity to eligibility rules.
