'Poor-quality' uniform given to Himachal school kids

The uniform is procured by the government civil supplies corporation

Some of the uniform distributed free in government schools of Himachal Pradesh is below the set quality standards.

"Out of 197 random school uniform samples, 27 failed. The company concerned has been penalised Rs 3.88 crore," state Civil Supplies Minister G S Bali told the state Assembly here Monday.

When the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party members asked if an inquiry will be ordered into the matter, Bali said the decision to order was not taken by him but by a procurement committee headed by the managing director, food and civil supplies corporation.

All government school students in the state are given free uniform by the state government every year. The uniform was procured by the state-run civil supplies corporation.

Himachal has nearly full enrolment in schools. It also has one of the highest literacy rates in the country.