K.K. Pathak, credited with beginning a positive transformation in Bihar’s government schools, has resigned as Additional Chief Secretary of the State Education Department, which he had headed since last year. The 1990 batch Bihar cadre IAS officer quit just before Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s scheduled distribution of job offers to 1.10 lakh teachers in the second phase of the department’s recruitment process, slated to be held in Patna on January 13.
Mr. Pathak’s resignation letter, which The Hindu has seen, is dated January 9 and clearly states that he resigned due to his own wish. However, it is believed that he resigned under political pressure, as he was not on good terms with Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar. The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader has expressed disappointment with Mr. Pathak’s style of decision-making in the government and had previously met the CM to lodge a formal complaint against the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS).
Mr. Pathak could not be contacted for comment, despite several attempts.
