Bihar CM's son-in-law quits as PA, but continues anyway

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's son-in-law, who was recently removed as his personal assistant after it was found his appointment violated rules, was on Monday spotted in an official programme of the CM where he said he still rendered service to him in personal capacity.

"People meet me and submit their problems which I take up with relevant officers," Majhi's son-in-law Devendra Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of ‘Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri’ at the chief minister's official residence.

"Many works which I send for consideration are done," he said.

Asked if he has come back to his old position after the state government through a circular redefined the Bihar Legislature (members’ salary, allowances and pension) Act, 2006 on the basis of which relatives of ministers and chief minister could now be appointed as private secretaries or personal staff, he said not yet.

Kumar alleged that he had become a victim of opposition campaign against him and vowed to keep serving his father-in-law with or without official position.

When a question was asked to Manjhi in this regard, he said it did not mean he (son-in-law) had been recruited again.

Through a new government circular issued on December 3, the cabinet coordination department said the word "relative" in the said act was not properly defined.

The government now has substituted the word "relative" with "family members" which means anyone besides wife-husband, sons-daughters and parents who are directly dependent on the ministers or the chief minister could be their personal assistants or staff.

Earlier, Kumar had to resign as CM’s personal assistant as his appointment had violated the government’s circular issued in May 2000 prohibiting ministers and chief minister from appointing their relatives as private secretaries or even keep them as their staff like peons or clerks.