Bihar clerks' paycuts to be probed

The Bihar Human Rights Commission has ordered a probe into the non-payment of salaries of some revenue clerks for six months, an official said Tuesday.

The commission has taken cognizance of the non-payment of wages in the state's West Champaran district and directed the administration to inquire into it.

Commission member Neelmani said it was a blatant violation of rules by senior officials and showed their scant regard for human rights of subordinate officials.

"The commission had directed West Champaran district magistrate Sridhar Chiruvolu to probe the matter immediately and find out why salaries were not paid and on whose orders," Neelmani said.

A clerk who was not paid his salary said: "Senior officials stopped payment of our salaries and directed that it should be deposited as uncollected revenue in the state treasury. The total amount of our salaries was shown as collection of revenue on March 30."

The commission has asked the district magistrate to submit a report by June 11.

Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Ramai Ram said the officials responsible for this act would be brought to book. "Nobody's salary can be cut without the district magistrate's order. We will take action against such officials," he said.