Why did KK Pathak write this?
– Photo: Amar Ujala Digital
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Despite going viral twice for abusing Bihar government officers in the government premises, Indian Administrative Service officer KK Pathak, who was praised by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has once again got down to a big fight. In the last fight, he defeated Education Minister of the Grand Alliance Government, Prof. Chandrashekhar’s department was changed. Then in the dispute of leave due to cold, the transfer of the then District Magistrate of Patna, Dr. Chandrashekhar was also considered his victory. Now he has directly clashed with the Chancellor of Bihar. The Chancellor, i.e. the Governor of Bihar. Referring to the respect for the Governor, he has written that the Chancellor is an officer like the Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor of the universities and that he cannot give orders to the Education Department.
Please tell us in what capacity you are sending the letter.
Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, KK Pathak has issued a letter on Friday to Robert L Chongthu, Principal Secretary to the Governor-cum-Chancellor of Universities of Bihar. In this letter, citing some letters sent by Principal Secretary Chongthu from December to February, he has been asked that in what capacity are you writing the letter to the Education Department – Principal Secretary to the Governor or Principal Secretary to the Chancellor?
Governor should talk to CM-Minister
It is written in this letter that if you are writing this letter as the Principal Secretary to the Governor, then on behalf of the highest office holder of the state, such letter should be sent to the Chief Minister or Education Minister and not directly to the state government official. If you are sending the Chancellor’s order to the department, then the Education Department has serious objection to it because it is unauthorized and direct interference in the functioning of the Education Department.
Chancellor’s powers limited
Clarifying the authority of the Chancellor, KK Pathak has written that under Section 7 of the Bihar State University Act 1976 passed by the Bihar Legislature, the Chancellor (Chancellor) is also an officer of the University like the Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dean, Proctor etc. and such Officers cannot issue orders to the education department. It is further written that the Chancellor cannot give any instructions on his own behalf regarding the orders issued by the Education Department to the Vice-Chancellors or universities.
Pathak announced direct fight
In his letter, Pathak, while referring to the letter sent to Chongthu on 29 February 2024, has asked that under what authority did the Chancellor not allow the Vice Chancellors to attend the meeting called by the Education Department? Under what authority did the Chancellor impose this ban? It was also asked why the Chancellor’s office interfered in relation to primary and secondary education through the letter dated 21 December 2023? On behalf of Robert L Chongthu, Principal Secretary to the Governor-cum-Chancellor of Universities, a reference was made to Section 9 (7) (II) regarding the powers of the Chancellor, but Pathak has written in his letter that this provision The Chancellor does not give exemption to the Vice Chancellor or any other officer of any university and spread anarchy by disobeying the orders of the Education Department. A copy of this letter has also been sent to the Vice Chancellors of all the universities of Bihar except the Vice Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University and Bihar Animal Science University.