Publishers protest ‘irregularities’ in purchase of books by Himachal Education Department

Publishers protest ‘irregularities’ in purchase of books by Himachal Education Department
on Aug 05, 2021

Publishers today held a protest in front of the Vidhan Sabha against alleged irregularities and corruption in the purchase of books by the state Education Department under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. “We have pointed out gross irregularities in the purchase of books under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan by the state Education Department and there is a deadlock between the government and publishers for the past two months and publishers were forced to lodge protests today. The call for gherao was given by North-Central Publishers Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Prakashak Sangh. Noted publisher from Raipur Satya Prakash Singh led the agitation. The publishers also met local writers and leaders and apprised them of alleged irregularities in the department. Sanjay Sharma, a publisher from Delhi, alleged the Education Department had planned to give work to eight firms registered at the same address and it was brought to notice of the Project Director and Education Secretary but nothing happened. Even the education minister did not take the matter seriously. Arun Maheshwari of Vani Prakashak said that the Education Department should refrain from giving work to three or four groups ignoring the quality books published by other renowned publishers. The publishers are ready to give a 35 per cent discount but the government wants only 10 per cent discount, which raises suspicion, said Satya Prakash Singh. Leading publisher from Uttar Pradesh, Vibhore Aggrawal stated that it was for the first time that not a single book has been selected from major publication centres at Allahabad, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi. Source - tribune india