Amit Kumar, a physical education teacher in Bihar, is struggling to support his family despite working in a government job. Earning a modest monthly salary of Rs 8,000, he spends his days teaching at Babu Pur Middle School in Bhagalpur district and works as a food delivery rider for a private company to pass his nights. The 35-year-old teacher juggles two jobs, working tirelessly after school hours from 5pm to midnight. Amit’s story highlights the challenges faced by underpaid government employees and the extreme steps they take to support their families.
Talking about his struggles, Amit told ANI, “After a long wait, I finally got a government job in 2022. My family was very happy. I gave the exam in 2019, and the results came in February 2020. I scored 74.100, and my family thought our situation would improve. But when Covid hit, I was working in a private school. After two and a half years I got this job on a government post, but the salary was fixed at only Rs 8,000, and I was termed a part-time employee, which meant I was not required to stay in school for long. In the beginning, we Worked full-time and encouraged students to participate in sports.”
“Students showed interest and even won medals. But even after two and a half years, the government has not increased our salaries or conducted eligibility tests. Life has become difficult. Senior teachers here get Rs 42,000 as salary, while we Let’s just meet.” Rs 8,000,” he said.
The challenges do not end here. Amit revealed that he did not receive his salary for four months earlier this year, forcing him to seek alternative income sources. “After February, I didn’t receive my salary for four months. I had to borrow money from friends, and the debt kept piling up. At my wife’s suggestion, I searched online and found that I could work as a food delivery rider. There were no time restrictions, so I created an ID and started delivering food after school from 5 pm to 1 am.
“With Rs 8,000 as my salary, I cannot even think of expanding my family. I wonder how I can provide for the next generation when I am struggling to feed myself I got married two and a half years ago. I am the eldest son and have to stay at home to take care of my elderly mother, which is why I am forced to do this extra work.” Amit explained.
