BMSS for halt to use of low quality paper for textbooks

Bangladesh Mudran Shilpa Samity (BMSS) staged a sit-in programme Tuesday to press home their demands including a halt to use of low quality paper in printing textbooks for free distribution.

The association also demanded punishment to those who are involved  in irregularities in National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). They held the programme in front of the NCTB office in the city.

BMSS chairman Shahid Serneabat alleged use of low quality paper in printing textbooks of NCTB violating rules.

He said it has been noticed that the order of the prime minister to hand over quality books to the students is not properly followed.

Terming a section of the printers 'Mafia', he said they are producing the books with low quality paper in collaboration with some corrupt officials.

"This time too the board has procured low quality paper. We demand that the board must be active in procuring quality paper in printing books," said Mr Serneabat.   

He informed that BMSS had earlier submitted letters to the prime minister, education minister and NCTB chairman about the matter.

BMSS general secretary AFM Shah Alam said although the prime minister sent a demi official (DO) letter to NCTB on July 9 last to ensure printing of books following the provisions of the tender, the board has been dillydallying over its implementation.

The association leaders alleged a syndicate under the leadership of an official of NCTB has created the scope for irregularity in printing the text books by taking unethical financial favour.

They said a section of profit monger printers who have got work orders with the help of the corrupt officials of NCTB, have already printed the English and Bengali grammar books and have been taking preparations to print other books of 2015 with low quality paper.

The BMSS leaders also demanded of the anti corruption commission (ACC) to investigate the corruption of some of the NCTB officials.

Bangladesh Pathyapustak Mudran and Bipanan Samity president Amin Helali and BMSS vice-chairman Hasina Newaz also spoke on the occasion.