Delhi HC Seeks Centre and NCERT’s Response On Plea Challenging Bids For ‘Jaadui Pitara’ Kit

The Delhi High Court recently sought the Centre and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to provide a response on plea challenging online bids from currently empanelled firms for the supply of items in the new kit called ‘Jaadui Pitara’.

The petition argues that the NCERT, in issuing a corrigendum, has established one-sided and biased eligibility conditions and requirements for bidders.

A vacation bench of Justice Amit Mahajan was hearing the matter.

The petitioner, Samit Khanna, the proprietor of Universal Sales, a company engaged in toy manufacturing and distribution since 2013 and registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, stated that he fulfills all the criteria outlined by the NCERT, except for the requirement of being an empanelled firm.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Juhi Arora, stated, “Due to the one-sided criteria set by the respondent no. 2 (NCERT), petitioner is not able to submit its techno-commercial bid. This new kit being tendered majorly has toy items which come under toys industry and toy manufacturers. However, the current 23 empanelled companies for which tender is restricted are manufacturers of scientific instruments, that is, science and mathematical kits.”

The plea said the tender does not mention the valid requirement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate with empanelled members which is now compulsory as per a government notification.

“The one-sided criteria set by respondent no. 2 is completely against the fundamental principles of transparency, fairness, competition, economy, efficiency and accountability,” Advocate Arora further alleged.