By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Education Department in Bihar has made it mandatory for all students in government and private schools to update their Aadhaar details on the department’s portal, e-Shikshakosh. This initiative aims to address the issue of dual enrolment, where students are simultaneously enrolled in both government and private schools.
Dual Enrolment Exposes Rs 200 Crore Annual Loss
The Aadhaar update process has revealed that 3.50 lakh children in Bihar are enrolled in both government and private schools. This duplication has resulted in the misuse of funds from government welfare schemes such as scholarships, uniform distribution, bag-kit supply, and the bicycle programme, leading to an annual loss of Rs 200 crore.
Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar stated, “Through the e-Shikshakosh portal, Aadhaar updates have exposed cases of dual enrolment. This practice denies deserving students their rightful benefits under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.”
Over 80 Lakh Aadhaar Updates Completed
As part of the initiative, the Aadhaar details of more than 80 lakh students from both government and private schools have been updated. However, dual enrolment cases have emerged across various districts, with Madhubani reporting the highest number at 19,200, followed by Sitamarhi (18,490) and Darbhanga (18,344). The lowest number of dual enrolments, 2,006, was reported in Sheikhpura.
District-Wise Breakdown of Dual Enrolment Cases
Key districts with notable dual enrolment figures include:
- Muzaffarpur: 15,774
- Samastipur: 15,026
- Begusarai: 14,704
- Patna (Capital): 9,202
- Gaya: 14,420
Other districts such as Vaishali, Purnia, and East Champaran also reported significant cases, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue.
Directive for Schools
The state has directed all government and private schools to upload student Aadhaar details on the e-Shikshakosh portal. This measure will ensure accurate enrolment data, streamline government scheme benefits, and eliminate fraudulent claims.
The Education Department is committed to resolving the issue, and further investigations are underway to prevent financial losses and ensure equitable distribution of resources to Bihar’s students.
