Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has ordered disciplinary action against officials of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) following serious observations made by the Delhi High Court in a paper procurement case.
The action comes after the High Court criticised NCERT for failing to properly handle legal proceedings related to a dispute involving a paper supplier. The court expressed concern over lapses in the organisation’s response, prompting the Education Ministry to seek accountability from those responsible.
In a statement, Pradhan said government institutions must maintain the highest standards of transparency, efficiency and professionalism, especially in matters involving public funds. He directed NCERT to identify the officials responsible for the lapses and initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings without delay.
The minister also instructed the organisation to strengthen its internal systems to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Officials have been asked to review procurement procedures, improve legal coordination and reinforce compliance mechanisms.
The controversy relates to the procurement of paper used for printing NCERT textbooks. The matter reached the Delhi High Court after a supplier challenged aspects of the procurement process. During the hearing, the court reportedly questioned NCERT’s handling of the case and expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of officials representing the organisation.
NCERT has assured the ministry that it will fully comply with the court’s directions and cooperate with the inquiry. The organisation is also expected to review its administrative and legal processes to improve transparency and accountability.
The development comes at a time when NCERT is working to ensure the timely printing and distribution of textbooks across the country. Officials said efforts are being made to ensure that the ongoing inquiry does not affect textbook availability for students.
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