Bihar Teachers Must Submit Property Details to Receive Salary, Education Department Issues Directive

Patna: The Bihar government has mandated that all government school teachers in the state submit complete details of their movable and immovable assets. According to a directive issued by the Education Department, teachers who fail to provide their property details by 31 December will have their January salary withheld. This rule applies to all categories of teachers, from headmasters to regular teaching staff, as part of the state’s push for transparency.

Purpose of the Directive
The decision follows guidelines from the Bihar Administrative Reform Mission Society, which requires all Group ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ officers and employees to submit an annual asset declaration. Government teachers fall under these categories, and the department has now decided to strictly enforce the rule. The primary aim is to promote integrity within the government system and minimize opportunities for corruption.

Submission Guidelines
Teachers must submit their property details using a specified format provided by the department. The declaration should be typed on A4-size paper and span three pages, including all necessary annexures. Each page must bear the teacher’s signature at the bottom; unsigned documents will be considered invalid. The property details should reflect the status as of 31 December.

Information Required
Teachers are required to provide a full account of their movable assets (cash, bank balances, vehicles, jewelry, etc.) and immovable assets (land, house, flat, etc.). Any financial liabilities or loans must also be clearly declared. The department has clarified that submission is not merely a formality—salary will remain on hold until the property declaration is received either on the portal or at the designated office.

Strict Instructions to Officials
District Education Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to ensure timely collection of declarations from all teachers in their jurisdictions. The department has emphasized that no leniency will be tolerated.

Mixed Reactions from Teachers
While some educators view this as a positive step toward administrative reform, others feel linking salary to property disclosure adds unnecessary pressure. Many teachers have expressed concerns anonymously, pointing out that other government employees and officials, including police personnel, are not subject to such strict monitoring. They argue that teachers, being among the most vulnerable, are being disproportionately targeted.