BRS President and former minister K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) has accused the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) of engaging a firm that was previously linked to the 2019 examination fiasco in Telangana. The firm, which operated as Globarena Technologies Private Limited at the time, was contracted by the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education to digitize examination administration. KTR alleged that CBSE's decision to hire the same entity raises serious questions about accountability and transparency in the examination process.
Background of the Firm's Involvement
Globarena Technologies had been at the center of controversy in 2019 when it was responsible for digitizing exam administration for the Telangana State Board. The project faced significant technical glitches, leading to widespread disruptions and allegations of mismanagement. KTR pointed out that the firm's troubled history should have disqualified it from being considered for any future government contracts, especially those involving critical educational assessments.
KTR's Statement
In a statement released to the media, KTR said, "It is shocking that CBSE, a premier educational board, chose to engage a firm with a track record of failure. This decision undermines the integrity of the examination system and puts students at risk." He further called for a thorough investigation into the contractual process and demanded that CBSE reconsider its association with the firm.
The BRS leader also highlighted that the Telangana government had faced severe criticism for the 2019 fiasco, and the same firm being hired by CBSE indicates a lack of learning from past mistakes. He urged the central government to intervene and ensure that such firms are blacklisted from future tenders.
CBSE's Response
As of now, CBSE has not issued an official response to KTR's allegations. However, sources within the board indicated that the engagement was based on the firm's current capabilities and not its past record. The board is reportedly reviewing the matter internally.
The controversy has reignited debates about the transparency of government contracts and the need for stricter vetting processes. Educational experts have called for a centralized database of firms with a history of poor performance to prevent similar issues in the future.
