Patna, Aug 31: The Bihar Education Department has suspended an assistant teacher over alleged serious financial irregularities, including cash withdrawals of more than Rs 1 crore from accounts of a school where he previously served as acting headmaster.
The teacher, currently posted at Videhi Project Girls’ High School in Raipur, Samastipur, was the acting headmaster of Amshon Kunwar Higher Secondary School at Bharthipur in Vaishali district when the alleged irregularities took place.
“The withdrawals were made from different accounts of the school and the total cash withdrawal was more than Rs 1 crore,” an official familiar with the matter said.
The department’s inquiry also found that cashbooks relating to the student fund and development fund were not maintained in accordance with prescribed financial rules.
Officials flagged alleged irregularities in transaction entries, vouchers and documentation related to vendors and purchases. Discrepancies involving vendors’ GST numbers and tax deductions were also noted during the inquiry.
“There were issues with transaction entries, vouchers and the documentation relating to vendors and purchases,” the official said.
The procurement process also came under scrutiny, with the inquiry finding that materials were allegedly purchased without following the prescribed procedure.
“The prescribed procedure for procurement was not followed in the purchase of materials,” the official said.
The department had sought an explanation from the teacher before initiating disciplinary action. After considering his response, the authorities termed the allegations “serious financial misconduct” and suspended him under the Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.
A formal chargesheet will now be issued against the teacher, followed by a detailed departmental inquiry to examine the allegations and establish the facts.
“A formal chargesheet will now be issued against him. A detailed departmental inquiry will examine the charges and establish the facts,” the official said.
The Regional Deputy Director of Education, Tirhut Division, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer, while the District Programme Officer (Secondary Education), Vaishali, has been designated as the Presenting Officer.
The final disciplinary action will depend on the findings of the departmental inquiry.
