Chapter on 'judicial graft': NCERT issues public apology, says book withdrawn
New Delhi (PTI): The NCERT issued a public apology on Tuesday for including a chapter on judicial corruption in a recent book that had earned the Supreme Court's ire, and said the entire textbook has been withdrawn.
The social science textbook for Class 8 stated that corruption, a massive backlog of cases and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NCERT said, "The National Council of Educational Research and Training has recently published a social science textbook, 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' Grade 8 (Part 2), which contained Chapter 4 titled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society'."
"The director and members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said chapter four. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available," it added.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi had taken suo motu cognisance of the "objectionable" statements about the judiciary in NCERT textbooks after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, alongside Abhishek Singhvi, mentioned the matter for urgent consideration.
CJI Kant strongly objected to a chapter on judicial corruption in the NCERT's Class 8 curriculum, saying nobody on earth would be allowed to defame the judiciary and taint its integrity.
The Supreme Court imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the NCERT's Class 8 social science book as it contains "offending" content on corruption in the judiciary, saying a gunshot has been fired and the institution is bleeding.
The government, on its part, expressed anguish over the inclusion of the controversial section in the book, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan promising to fix accountability and take action against those involved in drafting it.
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West Asia conflict: Gujarat cuts industrial gas use by 50 pc, domestic LPG supply unaffected
Ahmedabad (PTI): The Gujarat government has imposed a 50 per cent cut on industrial uses of gas amid concerns over the West Asia conflict, a state minister said on Tuesday, while assuring that domestic LPG distribution remains uninterrupted.
The state and the Centre were coordinating closely to ensure that households do not face any shortage of cooking gas cylinders, Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar ahead of the assembly session.
Measures were being taken in line with periodic guidelines issued by the central government to prevent panic and ensure the steady availability of LPG for households, he said.
"The state government is constantly working to make sure that no household is left without a cylinder. We are in continuous contact with the central government regarding this," the minister stated.
ALSO READ: Oil ministry sets up panel as commercial LPG shortage hits hospitality sector
He said restrictions have been placed on certain industrial uses of gas to prioritise domestic consumption.
"We have imposed a 50 per cent cut in the gas supply to industries. For fertiliser and milk (processing), there is a cut of about 40 per cent in gas supply," Patel informed.
The decision was aimed at ensuring that domestic users get cooking gas without any disruption, he said.
"This is to ensure that there is no disruption for domestic gas users. The state government is committed to maintaining a regular and steady supply for households," he added.
Responding to a query about reports from Rajkot claiming that hotels and restaurants are getting messages about restrictions on commercial gas cylinders, Patel denied any such directive.
"There is nothing like that," the minister asserted.
"As far as commercial gas cylinders are concerned, there is currently no cut or restriction on them," he said.
The government's immediate focus is to ensure that domestic kitchens continue to function normally and that there is no disruption to household cooking, the minister said.
"To ensure that no individual faces difficulty in getting cooking gas, especially the gas used for domestic purposes, the state and central governments are working together," he added.
The oil ministry has constituted a committee to examine supply issues after a sudden shortage of commercial LPG cylinders alarmed the hospitality sector, with restaurant associations warning that eateries could shut down within days if supplies are not restored.
"For LPG supply to other non-domestic sectors, a committee of three Executive Directors (EDs) of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been constituted to review the representations for LPG supply to restaurants/hotels/other industries," the ministry said in a post on X.
India consumes about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG annually. As much as 87 per cent of this is in the domestic sector i.e. household kitchens, and the rest in commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
Of this total requirement, as much as 62 per cent is met through imports. The US and Israel's attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliation have shut the Strait of Hormuz - the conduit through which India got 85-90 per cent of its LPG imports from countries like Saudi Arabia.
As alternate sources are being scouted, the limited supplies available meant the government prioritising supplies to the domestic sector, and in the process, the commercial establishments have suffered.
Earlier on March 6, an industry representative said that around 100 ceramic manufacturing units in Gujarat's Morbi have shut down due to disruption in gas supplies amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
