Patna: Senior IAS officer KK Pathak has long been known for his strict administrative style and uncompromising decisions, whether in the Education Department or the Prohibition Department. His firm approach, often appreciated for improving governance, also repeatedly brought him into confrontation with ministers of the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Since the Education Department directly impacts the public, the friction between the minister and the bureaucrat frequently put the government in uncomfortable situations.
Ministers vs KK Pathak: The Conflict
A number of ministers were reportedly unhappy with KK Pathak’s functioning, though many kept their dissatisfaction behind closed doors. However, two ministers of the Nitish Cabinet openly expressed anger, levelling serious allegations against the Additional Chief Secretary.
Former JDU minister Ratnesh Sada accused Pathak of having a “feudal mindset” and even described him as being “anti-Dalit.”
Sada alleged that Pathak introduced a controversial guideline targeting teachers in Mahadalit settlements. According to the rule, if 90% student attendance was not achieved, the teachers’ salaries would be deducted. Calling this order “unjust and illogical,” the minister said it unfairly punished teachers working in challenging areas.
A Strong Letter from the Education Minister
Education Minister Chandrashekhar was also openly critical of Pathak’s methods. Upset over the functioning of senior officials, he issued a ‘yellow letter’, a formal reprimand, to the Additional Chief Secretary and other top officers.
In the letter, he alleged that several tasks were not being carried out as per the government’s Code of Conduct and that gazetted officers were not being assigned duties according to their posts. The minister demanded immediate improvement in administrative behaviour and adherence to official norms.
Reforms and the Turning Point
Despite the controversies, KK Pathak was credited with taking strong steps to reform Bihar’s struggling education system. His initiatives included:
- Strict monitoring of classroom teaching
- Curbing fake admissions shown by teachers to misuse government funds
- Exposing fraudulent teacher certificates
- Enforcing discipline and improving academic quality
Just as his reforms were gaining momentum, Pathak was sent on central deputation. According to an order from the Ministry of Personnel, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, upgrading a vacant Joint Secretary post for the purpose.
Conclusion
The KK Pathak–Nitish Cabinet tussle highlights the deeper friction between administrative strictness and political sensitivities. While supporters view Pathak as a disciplined officer committed to cleaning up the system, his critics in the cabinet felt his measures were excessively harsh and politically damaging. The debate over his legacy continues even as he takes charge of his new role at the Centre.