The education ministry has ordered a comprehensive probe into NCERT's decision to blacklist a firm which was tasked with paper supply for textbooks and failed to meet the timeline. According to reports from PTI, the ministry has sought a detailed examination of NCERT's decision, with sources saying the probe will look into the basis for blacklisting the supplier and the procedure adopted before the action was taken. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has directed strict action against officers responsible for the lapse after NCERT failed to effectively defend its decision before the Delhi High Court. As per PTI, the minister has taken serious note of reports that NCERT failed to effectively defend its decision to blacklist a paper supplier before the Delhi High Court, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach towards administrative and legal lapses while ensuring greater accountability in textbook production and procurement processes.
Bafna Global Venture Private Limited moved the Delhi High Court on June 24 citing a blacklisting order by NCERT issued on June 22 barring it for two years from participating in the procurement process. As reported by PTI, while nobody from the NCERT appeared for the high court hearing, the court granted impunity to the firm from coercive action till further orders and restrained the NCERT from invoking over ₹6 crore bank guarantee furnished by the paper supplier. The blacklisting drew attention because paper is one of the most important raw materials in the large-scale production of NCERT textbooks, with any interruption in its supply having the potential to delay printing schedules and affect the distribution of books before the start of an academic session.
The ministry's decision to step in indicates that it wants an independent review of NCERT's action and the process followed before the supplier was barred. The inquiry is also expected to assess whether the blacklisting could have wider implications for the textbook supply chain and whether corrective measures are needed to ensure the uninterrupted production and distribution of school textbooks. The latest development assumes significance as NCERT has been working to ensure the timely availability of textbooks following the rollout of revised curricula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The council is responsible for publishing textbooks for CBSE schools and several state boards, making the paper supply chain a critical component of the printing process.
The firm argued in court that the delay in printing of books was because hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent for manufacturing paper, was not available due to the war in Iran. As reported by PTI, the case is now listed for July 20 in the Delhi High Court for further proceedings. NCERT had earlier blacklisted the paper supplier after it was alleged to have supplied paper that did not meet the prescribed quality specifications, with the decision reportedly taken after quality checks flagged deficiencies in the material being used for textbook printing.
The minister has ordered accountability for officials who failed to take necessary legal steps, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach towards administrative and legal lapses. According to sources cited by PTI, the government is ensuring greater accountability in textbook production and procurement processes following this administrative failure. The move comes amid concerns that any disruption in paper procurement could affect textbook production, especially during a period of high printing demand.
