Chandigarh: The Haryana government has taken strict action in connection with alleged large-scale irregularities in the purchase of books for government colleges and higher educational institutions across the state.

The Director General of Higher Education (DGHE), S. Narayanan (IFS), has issued an order blacklisting eight major book publishers with immediate effect. Following the order, no government college or higher educational institution in Haryana will be allowed to purchase books from these publishers.

CAG Audit Exposes Financial Irregularities

The action comes after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report revealed alleged financial irregularities and a scam involving crores of rupees in the procurement of books for libraries of 149 government colleges in Haryana.

According to the findings, the department allegedly violated procurement norms by releasing advance payments worth crores to publishers even before the books were supplied to colleges. In several institutions, the books reportedly never reached the libraries.

The report also pointed towards an alleged nexus between publishers and officials, causing heavy losses to the state exchequer during the procurement process.

Reasons Behind Blacklisting of Publishers

The government identified multiple irregularities in the book procurement process that led to the blacklisting decision.

Manipulation in Pricing

Publishers allegedly charged prices several times higher than the original printed price of books, resulting in inflated procurement costs.

Loss Due to Reduced Discounts

Authorities found that while bulk book purchases generally attract discounts of 30 to 35 per cent in the market, only around 10 per cent discount was shown in official records, allegedly causing financial losses to the government.

During physical verification of college libraries, books supplied by several listed publishers were reportedly found missing despite payments already being released on paper.

Eight Publishers Blacklisted

According to the official order issued by the Higher Education Department, the following eight publishers have been blacklisted:

1. Onkar Books
2. Basant Publication
3. Ekant Publication
4. International Publication Corporation
5. Vidyanidhi
6. Jeevant Prakashan
7. Pooja Prakashan
8. Green Books

The blacklisting order has come into effect immediately, and further investigation into the alleged irregularities is expected to continue.