Patna, Feb. 25: State’s human resource development minister P.K. Shahi today said in the state legislative council that recruitment of teachers in universities would be taken up once the rationalisation process is completed in Bihar.

Shahi was replying to a question raised by Congress member Mahachandra Prasad Singh during the Question Hour. Singh wanted to know a specific time frame from the government by when it would fill up the vacancies of teachers in Bhim Rao Ambedkar University Muzaffarpur and JP University, Chhapra.

Singh said the dwindling numbers of teachers in the universities of the state is adversely affecting the studies and the government should make appointment of teachers immediately.

Shahi, in his reply, admitted that the numbers of teachers in the universities have decreased because of retirement of teachers and subsequently non-fulfilment of posts but it has not affected studies as students are being enrolled and are also appearing for examinations.

He said: “The recruitment of teachers in the universities will be carried out only after the rationalisation process is over. The process has been going on for the past eight to 10 years in the state. Currently, the rationalisation report, prepared by the government is pending with the chancellor.”

BJP member Ram Kishore Choudhary and others wanted to repeal the Patna University Act and Bihar State University Act as they have become obsolete and the government should frame new rules by constituting a commission for the purpose.