Edu minister clarifies on school uniform

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, December 9

Education Minister Suresh Bharadwaj today gave a clarification on the floor of the house on the questions raised on quality of school uniforms being supplied in government schools under Atal Vardi Yojna.

Debate over the quality of school uniforms was demanded by Congress members in the house. However, since the Congress members had walked out of the house the education minister issued a clarification over the issue in the absence of the Opposition.

The education minister said that he had seen some messages going viral on social media and in print media raising questions regarding the quality of school uniforms being supplied in the state.

However, the department has received just one complaint on CM helpline regarding the quality of school uniforms. There was complaint regarding different shades of school uniforms and uniforms losing colour after washing. An inquiry has been initiated on the complaint.

He said that school uniforms had been purchased by the state government after calling tenders. M/s Mafatlal Industries Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder and was allotted the contract for providing school uniforms. He said during the year 2019-20 students from class I to XII in government schools have been distributed 8.30 lakh school uniforms. Each student has been given two sets of school uniforms.

The minister assured the house that there would be no compromise on the quality of school uniforms being supplied to school children in the state.

‘Purchase after calling tenders’ 

• The minister said that school uniforms had been purchased by the state government after calling tenders. M/s Mafatlal Industries Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder and was allotted the contract. 
• During the year 2019-20 students from class I to XII in government schools have been distributed 8.30 lakh school uniforms. 
• Two officials of the education department have been deputed at the mill to monitor the quality of school uniforms.
• The minister said 15,000 school uniforms have been returned due to colour variation from master sample.