Patna: The Patna University Teachers' Association has decided to oppose the government's decision of paying teachers' salaries though the state treasury.

The university teachers and non-teaching staff are at present getting their salaries from the varsity, but the government has announced that now the salaries will be paid from the state 's coffers.

The state government around a fortnight back had issued a instructions to the universities to open accounts with the treasury so that employees' salaries can be credited. As per the state government directive, separate accounts of staff of all the universities were opened and the amount due to them are to be credited in their accounts.

The details of salaries, pension or other arrears of individual employees would be sent to the treasury by the respective universities.

The Patna University has also opened its account with the treasury so that salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff can be credited.

Patna University Teachers' Association president Randhir Kumar Singh opposed the move.

"Earlier, the university used to get funds fromthe state government for payment of salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff," he explained. "Even if the there was delay from state government in releasing funds to universities, Patna University used to make the payments through its internal resources and once the university receives the fund the amount was adjusted in the internal resources account."

Singh claimed that with the release of funds from treasury, Patna University will not be able to make payments through internal resources.

The teachers association members have met Patna University vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh and apprised him about the challenges university teachers and staff will face once the salary is accounted from the treasury.

The association has also decided to meet chief minister Nitish Kumar and education minister Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma to apprise them about the teachers' grievances and worries.

Association president Singh said that if the government does not accept the demands, the teachers will be left with no other alternative but to protest.

A teacher at Patna University, who spoke under condition of anonymity. echoed Singh's views. "Once the salary is paid through the treasury, the university staff will start getting their salaries late. Delay in salary will affect teaching and non-teaching staff in payment of bank loans and other expenses," the teacher said.

The university, however, is going ahead with the government directive.

Patna University registrar Rabindra Kumar said: "The salary invoice of teaching and non-teaching staff will be sent to the treasury for payment. As per the state government directive this time the salary invoice has not been sent to banks."