Patna (Bihar), November 25 – Amit Kumar, a 35-year-old physical education teacher at Babu Pur Middle School in Bhagalpur, Bihar, is juggling two jobs to support his family. Despite holding a government position, Amit’s Rs 8,000 monthly salary is far from sufficient, forcing him to work as a food delivery rider in the evenings to make ends meet.
A Government Job That Offers Little Relief
Amit’s appointment as a government teacher in 2022 brought initial hope for a better future for his family. However, the reality of his financial struggles soon set in.
“After a long wait, I finally got a government job in 2022. My family was overjoyed. I had taken the exam in 2019, and the results came in February 2020. I scored 74 out of 100, and we were thrilled. My family thought our situation would improve,” Amit said.
He described the challenges of working on a fixed Rs 8,000 salary, designated as a part-time employee with minimal hours.
“Senior teachers here receive Rs 42,000 as salary, while we get only Rs 8,000. Initially, we worked full-time and encouraged students to participate in sports. The students showed interest and even won medals. But even after two and a half years, the government hasn’t increased our salary or conducted eligibility exams,” Amit added.
Additional Burdens
Earlier this year, Amit endured four months without a salary, further compounding his financial struggles. Left with no other option, he turned to food delivery to supplement his income.
“After February, I didn’t receive my salary for four months. I had to borrow money from friends, and the debt kept piling up. On my wife’s suggestion, I searched online and found I could work as a food delivery rider. There was no time restriction, so I created an ID and started working. After school, from 5 PM to 1 AM, I deliver food,” Amit shared.
A Life of Constant Struggle
Balancing teaching and food delivery, Amit works tirelessly from early morning until late at night. The challenges of his dual jobs weigh heavily on his personal life and aspirations for the future.
“With Rs 8,000 as my salary, I can’t even think about expanding my family. I wonder how I can provide for the next generation when I’m struggling to feed myself. I got married two and a half years ago when I got the job. I’m the eldest son and need to stay at home to care for my elderly mother, which is why I am compelled to take up this additional work,” he explained.
The Bigger Picture
Amit’s story highlights the plight of many government employees in India who struggle to sustain themselves on inadequate salaries. Despite his dedication to teaching and inspiring students in sports, Amit faces an uncertain future unless meaningful changes are made to address salary discrepancies and ensure timely disbursement of wages.
