NCERT blacklists firm, skips court date; Pradhan orders probe

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has initiated a probe into National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) officials for their absence from a Delhi High Court hearing. The officials failed to defend the council's June 22 order to blacklist a paper supplier, Bafna Global Venture Private Limited, for alleged delays in textbook production. This lapse allowed the high court to grant the company interim relief, preventing NCERT from invoking a ₹6.09 crore bank guarantee and halting coercive action under the blacklisting order until the next hearing on July 20.

The minister's action underscores the ministry's commitment to a "zero-tolerance approach towards administrative and legal lapses." The investigation will examine how Bafna Global Venture was awarded the contract for Maplitho paper for the 2026-27 academic year, despite allegations that the firm did not meet tender conditions floated in October last year and failed to adhere to the supply schedule.

Bafna Global Venture had approached the high court on June 24, challenging its blacklisting for two years. The company argued that production delays were caused by the unavailability of hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent, due to disruptions linked to the US-Iran conflict. They also contended that blacklisting should not typically follow a contractual dispute involving a bona fide disagreement.

Minister Pradhan reportedly took serious note of NCERT's ineffective defense of its decision. Officials responsible for failing to take necessary legal steps are to be held accountable. Neither NCERT nor Bafna Global Venture responded to queries from Hindustan Times.

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This minister’s intervention in the matter is part of the ministry’s “reinforcement of zero-tolerance approach towards administrative and legal lapses”.