Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi appoints son-in-law as personal assistant

PATNA: In one of the most bizarre cases of nepotism, Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has appointed his son-in-law as his personal assistant (PA). Devendra Kumar, who describes himself as "formerly a technocrat", can be seen calling the shots at the CM's office and residence alike.

The notification to give official PA tag to the "engineering graduate" was issued on June 4, a fortnight after Manjhi was installed by the then CM Nitish Kumar as his successor. He worked with a private firm till a few years back and has been serving his father-in-law even when he was a minister in the Nitish cabinet.

Bihar ministers, including the CM, are not expected to have relatives on their personal staff. A government order issued by the department of state cabinet coordination on May 23, 2000 states appointment of relatives as private secretary or personal assistant (adversely) affects government functioning. "Ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers will not appoint their relatives as private secretary or personal assistant. In case relatives have been appointed (before this order), such appointment be immediately cancelled," the notification reads.

Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has forbidden his ministers and MPs from appointing kin as aides.

Devendra admits he takes care of the CM's needs "like what he would eat - veg or non-veg food". "I am his son-in-law only at our home. My body language and behaviour are different as PA. I follow the system and do things like 'yes sir, no sir' while functioning as his PA," he told Times Now and asserted he does not take advantage of his high-flying status. "Already I am availing of so much which I had never expected. For instance I am already enjoying the facilities available at the CM residence," he said.

CM Manjhi, however, trashed the charge of violating rules. "Is tarah ke aarop lagte rahte hain. Yeh koi issue nahin hai," he told the media after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, however, said talks of corruption are already doing the rounds. "Relatives are being used by Bihar minister to ensure money changes hands smoothly. All ministers are engaged in corruption and anti-corruption drives have come to standstill in the state," he said.