- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Governor’s office has issued a stern warning to Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, Bhagalpur, following concerns over the Vice Chancellor’s practice of assigning multiple key administrative roles to a single individual. On July 11, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Robert L. Chongthu, directed all state universities to respond within seven days regarding the issue of one person holding charge of more than one post. The communication emphasised that such practices cause unnecessary administrative delays and negatively impact work quality.
Raj Bhavan and the Education Department have expressed serious concerns that concentrating responsibilities on a few individuals is detrimental to institutional efficiency. The letter also referenced prior instructions from the Governor’s Secretariat dated July 24, 2023, which BAU’s current Vice Chancellor appears to have disregarded.
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At BAU, 13 employees reportedly hold two or more important positions, raising questions of favouritism and governance.
Some key examples include:
-Sweta Shambhavi, an Affiliate Professor, is managing both the Director of Student Welfare and Deputy Director of Administration roles despite other qualified senior professors being available.
-Dr Rajesh Kumar is handling the University Appointment Officer, Senior Scientist, Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sabour, and Officer-in-Charge of the Media Centre.
-Dr Anil Kumar Singh, overseeing Director Research alongside University Vigilance Officer and Principal Investigator for the Makhana Development Scheme.
-Mijanul Haq, University Professor and Chief Scientist, was assigned Registrar, Director of Administration, and Dean of Forestry and Research College, Munger, despite a suspension by a former Vice Chancellor for administrative irregularities.
-Amit Kumar, Deputy Director Administration, continues to receive additional roles, including Director Administration and President of the Sports Department, even while out on bail related to an appointment case.
Other officials similarly hold multiple roles across various departments, raising governance concerns.
The Governor’s office and the Education Department have mandated that universities assign one person per post to ensure transparent, efficient administration and have called for immediate corrective action at BAU to comply with these directives.
