MP High Court Stays ₹350-Crore School Uniform Tender

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has imposed an interim stay on the finalisation of a ₹350-crore tender for the supply of uniforms to government school students across the state.

This decision was made by a division bench of acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal while hearing three petitions that challenged the tender process. The petitions alleged that the tender process violated the Madhya Pradesh Stores Purchase Rules 2023.

The petitioners, including the Minority Backward Class Powerloom Weavers Association, Jabalpur, Paradise Weavers Association, Burhanpur, and Kohinoor Weavers Association, Jabalpur, claimed that the state-level Powerloom Cooperative Society has been the nodal agency for the supply of school uniforms since 1993. They argued that according to the rules, materials such as school uniforms can be procured from state enterprises without an open tender.

However, on June 3, 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation issued an open tender worth around ₹350 crore. The petitioners contended that this tender could affect the livelihoods of around 2 lakh weaver families associated with the powerloom and spinning mill industries. Many weavers had taken bank loans and could face financial difficulties without work.

The court directed the state government, Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation, and other parties concerned to submit their responses within a week. Advocates Shreyas Dharmadhikari and Tirthesh Bharil appeared for the petitioners.

The Madhya Pradesh Stores Purchase Rules 2023 are in place to ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement process. The rules allow for the procurement of materials from state enterprises without an open tender, which is what the petitioners argued should have been done in this case.

The state government and the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation will have to respond to the court's directive and provide their justification for issuing the open tender. The court's decision to stay the tender process will provide relief to the weaver families who were likely to be affected by it.

The case highlights the importance of following established rules and procedures in the procurement process. It also underscores the need to consider the potential impact of such decisions on the livelihoods of people involved in the industry.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision is significant, and its outcome will be closely watched. The court's directive to the state government and the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation to respond within a week indicates that the matter is being treated with urgency.

In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh High Court's stay on the ₹350-crore school uniform tender is a significant development. The case has implications for the livelihoods of weaver families and the procurement process in the state. The court's decision will be closely watched, and its outcome will provide clarity on the matter.

The stay on the tender process will also have implications for the state government's procurement policies. The government will have to review its policies and ensure that they are in line with the established rules and procedures. This will help to prevent similar disputes in the future and ensure that the procurement process is fair and transparent.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision is a reminder that the judiciary plays a crucial role in ensuring that the government and its agencies follow the rules and procedures. The court's intervention in this case will help to protect the interests of the weaver families and ensure that the procurement process is fair and transparent.