Education Ministry – Centre Orders Inquiry After NCERT Officials Miss Delhi High Court Hearing
Education Ministry – The Union Education Ministry has directed an inquiry after officials of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) failed to appear before the Delhi High Court despite receiving summons in a case linked to the blacklisting of a paper supplier. The ministry has also sought appropriate action over the administrative lapse, underlining its position that legal responsibilities must be handled with utmost seriousness.
Court Case Over Blacklisting of Paper Supplier
The matter arose after Mumbai-based Bafna Global Venture Private Limited challenged an NCERT order that barred the company from participating in government tenders for two years. The firm, which supplies paper used for printing NCERT textbooks, moved the Delhi High Court on June 24, questioning the validity of the blacklisting decision issued two days earlier.
According to NCERT, the company did not supply paper within the agreed timeline, leading to delays in the printing of school textbooks required for the current academic session. The council maintained that the delayed deliveries disrupted its publication schedule and affected textbook distribution.
Education Ministry Seeks Accountability
An official spokesperson for the Education Ministry confirmed that the department has instructed NCERT to investigate why its representatives failed to attend the court proceedings after being summoned. The ministry stated that the incident reflects an avoidable administrative and legal failure and reiterated its policy of maintaining zero tolerance toward such lapses in government functioning.
Senior NCERT officials, including Director Dinesh K. Saklani, did not issue any public response regarding the ministry’s direction or the ongoing legal proceedings.
Supply Challenges Linked to International Developments
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the supplier experienced difficulties in meeting contractual obligations because of disruptions in the availability of hydrogen peroxide, an essential chemical used in paper manufacturing. The shortage was reportedly linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis, which affected the supply chain for key industrial materials.
The company is believed to have cited these circumstances as a significant factor behind its inability to deliver paper within the scheduled timeframe.
High Court Grants Interim Relief
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court was informed that no representative from NCERT had appeared despite the court’s notice. The absence prompted concern within the Education Ministry, which is now considering legal and administrative action against the officials responsible.
The court also granted interim protection to the supplier by restraining NCERT from invoking the company’s bank guarantee amounting to Rs 6 crore. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on July 20, when both sides are expected to present their arguments.
Textbook Delays Add to NCERT’s Challenges
This academic year witnessed delays in the release of some revised textbooks for Classes VIII and IX. Although reports indicated that a limited number of upgraded books reached students later than expected, NCERT has not publicly disclosed detailed information regarding the extent of the delay or its impact.
The dispute with the paper supplier has added to the council’s administrative challenges during the current academic session.
Earlier Textbook Controversy
The latest legal dispute follows another significant issue faced by NCERT earlier this year. In February, the Supreme Court halted the circulation of the Class VIII Social Science Part-2 textbook after objections were raised regarding a chapter dealing with the judiciary.
Following the court’s intervention, NCERT revised the publication by removing the disputed content before releasing a fresh edition earlier this week. With the latest court proceedings now under scrutiny, the council once again finds itself facing questions over its administrative and legal processes.