‘No pressing urgency’: HC on PIL alleging use of lower-quality paper for Balbharati textbooks

A single judge bench of Justice Advait M Sethna was hearing the PIL by Sankalp Jeevan Charitable Trust, a non-profit organisation working in the education field, challenging Balbharati’s action to “significantly reduce and derogate the minimum standard of quality of the paper and paperboard” to be procured and used for printing and publication of textbooks for Maharashtra State Board.

The petitioner through advocate Ankit Lohia submitted that sudden changes in paper specification, experience and other critical qualification criteria in the present tender conditions shows intention of Balbharti to favour certain bidders. The Trust apprehended that by making such drastic changes, the bureau will portray that they are saving on procurement costs but same will be at the stake of the “innocent students,” and same would be “an eyewash for favouring certain participants” in the tender process.

Lohia said the same will result in procurement of inferior quality paper for textbooks and it would not be suitable for long term use of thousands of students across Maharashtra.

The plea sought direction to quash and set aside tenders in question for supply of 70 GSM and 170 GSM cream wove papers for academic year 2026-27 and to issue fresh tenders after appropriate modifications. In the alternative, the plea sought direction to authorities reissue tenders as per terms and conditions for the academic year 2025-26.

Lohia said the petitioner undertook to comply with Bombay High Court Public Interest Litigation Rules, 2010 before the next hearing.

“This court is of the view that there is no pressing urgency at this point in time. The proceedings can definitely wait to be placed before the regular court after reopening,” Justice Sethna noted.

“It is upon Lohia’s fervent request that this petition is filed in the interest of the student community, the respondents shall consider the suggestions made in the petition, at the appropriate stage and time,” the judge added.

From the homepage

Exclusive | Bike skidded, rider died on spot before bus ran over it in Kurnool tragedy: Pillion rider tells police

Record-breaking Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli power India to nine-wicket win, prevent Australia’s series sweep in Sydney

Suspect in Assam railway track blast gunned down in police encounter