Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 5: The tenure of Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Chairman Dr. Anil Kumar Mahato is set to conclude on January 18, leaving the council without leadership. If the state government fails to appoint a successor by this date, critical examinations like those for classes 8, 9, 10 (matriculation), 11, and 12 (intermediate) may face delays. Furthermore, administrative operations within the council could be severely disrupted.
Dr. Mahato emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “My tenure is constitutionally fixed, and it is now up to the government to appoint a new chairman promptly.”
Government Assures Swift Action
Responding to concerns, School Education Minister Hafizul Hasan Ansari assured that the government is actively discussing the matter. “We are aware of the urgency and will appoint a new chairman soon,” he said.
Precedent of Delayed Appointments
The tenure of JAC chairpersons has previously seen significant delays in succession. The posts of Chairman and Vice President remained vacant for four months after the terms of former Chairman Dr. Arvind Prasad Singh and Vice President Phool Singh ended on September 18, 2021. It was only after the intervention of the then Education Minister Jagarnath Mahato that these positions were filled on January 18, 2022.
Dr. Anil Kumar Mahato, who was serving as the Controller of Examinations at Ranchi University and a professor at Vinod Bihari Mahato Koyalanchal University, was appointed as Chairman, while Dr. Vinod Kumar Singh of KC College Beddo became Vice President.
Potential Impact on Examinations
With upcoming board examinations for multiple grades approaching, a leadership vacuum at JAC could disrupt the academic calendar. The situation underscores the critical need for timely appointments to ensure the smooth functioning of academic and administrative processes in Jharkhand.
