Sushil Modi opposes Bihar govt's decision to hire teachers from other states

Patna: Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Wednesday sought immediate withdrawal of the Nitish Kumar government's decision to allow candidates from other states to compete for teachers' jobs.

Modi said Tuesday’s cabinet nod to this effect was an "insult to Bihar's talent reserves" and also casts doubts on the ‘intent’ of the government." "It does not appear the intent was to appoint teachers. This is a cash-strapped government which is unable to pay salary to its staff. The new policy seems to have been brought deliberately to provoke litigation, which would enable them to buy time on their promise of job creation," the senior BJP leader, who held the finance portfolio till he remained the deputy CM, said.

Modi, who has now moved to the Rajya Sabha, also criticised state’s education minister and RJD leader Chandrashekhar, who has defended the move saying Bihar has a dearth of talent.

"He has come to the conclusion without holding any tests. The youngsters of Bihar have been competing in various exams at the all-India level, including the IAS," the BJP leader pointed out.

"This government is committing blunder after blunder with regard to government teachers. Four lakh non-commissioned (niyojit) teachers are being told they will have to sit for an exam to become eligible for government employees' entitlements. Two lakh TET qualified youngsters have been waiting for job openings," said Modi.

"Where will aspirants of Bihar go if people from outside come and fill up teachers’ vacancies. This policy must be reviewed and withdrawn forthwith," demanded the former deputy CM.

Modi was talking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan where he had come to meet Governor Rajendra Arlekar, whom he called "an old friend, since our ABVP days".

Replying to a query, he said, "It is a mere coincidence that I came here shortly after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met the Governor. The CM may have come for his own reasons. Please do not read much into this".

There was no official word on the reason behind Kumar's visit to Raj Bhavan, which is close to the chief minister’s residence.

However, sources in the know of things said the CM might have gone to inspect renovation work underway inside Raj Bhavan premises.