The Hindu : New Delhi News : “Paper quality of school books fine”

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Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
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New Delhi

“Paper quality of school books fine”

Staff Reporter

Meets BIS standards: Delhi Govt.

NEW DELHI: Responding to allegations levelled by Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan, the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education on Tuesday asserted that the quality of paper used for publication of school textbooks was up to the mark.

The paper used in the textbooks had been tested at the Central Paper and Pulp Research Institute in Saharanpur and found to be conforming to BIS standards, it said.In a statement, the Directorate said Dr. Vardhan had alleged bungling of Rs.16 crore in procurement of paper for printing of school textbooks. It pointed out that the tender for purchase of 2,600 metric tonnes of paper had been invited on October 11, 2007 (and not end of January 2008 as charged) and the whole process was transparent.

“The tender said the paper should be manufactured from virgin pulp and conform to BIS specification 1848/1991 for offset and meplitho paper and 6956/1973 for cover paper,” the Directorate said, adding that “there were no changes in terms and conditions for the last three years”.

It also clarified that paper worth Rs.9.1 crore only was purchased and not Rs.16 crore as alleged.

Tested at institute

Also, it said, the paper purchased was tested at Saharanpur and conformed to BIS standards and had no defects.

Stating that the facts were also checked by a departmental committee, the Directorate asserted that the paper supplied was not of inferior quality and the contract for bulk purchase had not been given to select mills at the instance of the Education Minister as alleged.

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