Gaya: Magadh University employees have threatened to launch an agitation if they are not paid by June 25.

At least 1,700 Magadh University employees are waiting for their salaries since receiving the last payment in February. Their wait looks to be longer, as the registrar cancelled his advice following alleged irregularities in the bills.

Magadh University registrar Shailesh Kumar cancelled his own order on salary payment on June 16 and went on medical leave a couple of days later.

The non-payment of salary, in spite of the government releasing the grant, has led to grave resentment among the employees. The Bihar government had on May 26 released Rs 93 crore to pay salary and pension to Magadh University employees for March, April and May.

The accounts section of Magadh University had prepared the salary bill for the employees. Registrar Shailesh vetted it and cheques were also issued for final disbursement before the senior official cancelled the order.

Shailesh could not be contacted as he is in Bangalore for cardiac treatment but sources said he has, in writing, defended his decision to cancel the salary advice on finding alleged irregularities in preparing the bill. The bill, the sources added, was prepared in alleged violation of the norms. The registrar has, however, not revealed who was involved in the it.

Magadh University's vice-chancellor Qamar Ahsan has sent a message to the chancellor's office on salary payment and other urgent matters concerning court cases in the absence of the registrar.