Printing of 15 lakh text books to be handed over to private press

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high level meet convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy decided to hand over the printing of 15 lakh text books to a private press. The decision was taken after Kerala Books and Publications Society (KBPS) informed their inconvenience to complete printing by July 15.

Raju Narayana Swamy, KBPS chairman and secretary (printing) said that only nine lakh text books can be printed in the stipulated time directed by the government. If more books have to be printed then time should be extended till July 31, he said.

However, the government rejected KBPS’ directive. Following that, Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb directed to hand over the printing of 15 lakh text books out of the 25 lakh to private press.

Raju Narayana Swamy opposed handing over the printing of text books to private press without calling a tender. A verbal dispute broke out between the minister and the secretary following that. The scene was calmed down by the chief minister. Rabb said the delay in the printing of text books cannot be permitted again and the chief minister too agreed with it.

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