– Akhilesh Tripathi
A major corruption scandal has been exposed in Technical Education Department of Uttar Pradesh. The revelations point to alleged rule violations and bribery in the appointment and promotion processes within the department, tarnishing the state government’s claims of transparency and integrity.
The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and now in its second term, has faced criticisms of being anti-Muslim and casteist. However, these new allegations specifically target Technical Education Minister Ashish Patel, who is accused of orchestrating unlawful promotions in exchange for bribes.
According to the UP Technical Education Teaching Regulations, 2021, appointments to the position of Heads of Department (HoDs) are to be made exclusively through direct recruitment by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). Rule 5 of the regulations also mandates a minimum of 15 years of experience for eligible candidates with B.Tech and M.Tech qualifications.
In blatant violation of these rules, 177 teachers were promoted to HoD positions on December 9, 2024, reportedly under the directives of Ashish Patel. The promotions bypassed the UPPSC entirely, raising suspicions of systemic corruption. The Principal Secretary of the department, M. Devaraj, is also under scrutiny for his role in chairing the committee that approved these appointments.
Speculations suggest that bribes amounting to Rs.25 lakh per appointment facilitated these promotions, with reports pointing to widespread corruption in the process.
The Yogi Adityanath government, which has long claimed a commitment to transparency, has yet to respond to these allegations. Neither the Chief Minister nor any senior official has addressed the matter, leaving the administration under fire. The incident marks the first direct accusation of corruption against the state government, further undermining its credibility.
Amitabh Thakur, national president of Azad Adhikar Sena, has called for a thorough investigation into the scandal. In a letter to CM Adityanath, Thakur demanded that the corruption allegations be investigated by a retired High Court judge. He also urged the dismissal of Ashish Patel and cancellation of all unlawfully made appointments following the inquiry.
Thakur remarked, “The appointments were not only arbitrary but blatantly violated the state’s regulations. Accountability must be established, and those responsible should face consequences.”
Ashish Patel’s involvement in this controversy has placed BJP in a precarious position. Patel is married to Anupriya Patel, a Union Minister in the Modi government and president of Apna Dal(S), a BJP ally in Uttar Pradesh. Removing Ashish Patel could strain the alliance with Apna Dal(S), while protecting him risks accusations of shielding corrupt officials.
The scandal has become a litmus test for Adityanath’s administration, which has long touted itself as corruption-free. The public and opposition parties are now closely watching how the government addresses these allegations. Will it act decisively to restore its credibility, or will political expediency take precedence over accountability?
