World · India Bureau
Bihar villagers drum up protest over vanished school construction project
Residents of a Bihar village arrived at the District Magistrate's office with traditional percussion instruments to lodge a complaint about a school that exists only on paper. An investigation found no trace of the facility despite official claims of Rs 44.85 lakh in construction funds.
LSN India ·
Villagers in Katihar district, Bihar, created an unusual scene at the District Magistrate's office when they arrived beating drums and cymbals to protest the alleged disappearance of a school construction project in their area. The complaint centered on claims that Rs 44.85 lakh had been released for the school's construction and completion, yet no structure existed on the ground.
An on-site inspection by administration officials found no evidence of construction work. Records showed neither tender documents nor any documentation of fund disbursement for the project, raising questions about the authenticity of the completion certificate submitted to district authorities.
During the investigation, the school's Principal reportedly acknowledged that official documents related to the project had been generated using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool. The admission has prompted authorities to launch a formal inquiry into potential administrative irregularities and misappropriation of public funds.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about governance and financial accountability in rural development projects across Bihar, where similar discrepancies have occasionally surfaced in school and infrastructure schemes.