A head teacher from Pancha Primary School in Banaskantha, Gujarat, identified as Bhavna Patel, has continued to receive a state government salary while residing in the United States for the past eight years, according to Gujarat Samachar.
The issue came to light after students and villagers complained that Patel had not been seen at the school for several years. Current fifth graders noted that they last saw her when they were in third grade.
Despite her absence, Patel remains listed on the school payroll. She has reportedly been living in Chicago since 2013 and holds a US green card. According to local media, Patel returns to Gujarat briefly once a year during Diwali, but she does not visit the school or engage with the students during these visits.
In response to the situation, in-charge principal Parul Mehta stated that the issue was reported to the taluka education officer, district education officer, and state education minister, but no action has been taken so far.
The primary education officer mentioned that Patel last visited the school in January of the previous year and has been on unpaid leave since the beginning of this year. A show-cause notice has been issued to Patel, and officials are seeking disciplinary action against her.