Jitan Ram Manjhi's Son-in-law Says He Serves the Chief Minister in Personal Capacity

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's son-in-law, who was recently removed as his personal assistant after it was found that his appointment violated government rules, was today spotted in an official programme where he said he still rendered "service" to the Chief Minister in personal capacity.

"People meet me and submit their problems which I take up with relevant officers," Devendra Kumar, Mr Manjhi's son-in-law, told reporters on the sidelines of a programme at the Chief Minister's official residence.

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

When asked if Mr Kumar has come back to his old position after the state government through a circular redefined the Bihar Legislature 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.

However, reports say people who want to meet the Chief Minister, has to seek an appointment through Mr Kumar.

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Mr Kumar has 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.

Mr Manjhi denied that he had recruited his son-in-law again.

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Through a new government circular issued on December 3, the cabinet coordination department said the word "relative" in the 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.

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