AAP flags ‘irregularities’ in textbook printing; BJP rejects allegations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged that NCERT textbooks supplied free to Delhi government schools were printed on substandard paper and did not meet tender specifications. It sought an explanation from Education Minister Ashish Sood and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

At a press meet, AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj compared copies of the Class 8 NCERT textbook ‘Malhar’ (the new official Class 8 Hindi core book) sold in bookshops with those supplied to government schools, alleging a “scam” in printing.

“The specifications in these tenders are exactly the same as those of the books available in the market. The paper size is supposed to be A4, and the paper quality must be 80 GSM (grams per square metre).

However, the books printed are not of A4 size and are printed on substandard paper,” Mr. Bharadwaj said, accusing the Education Department of corruption. He said a printer had told him that the prices of the two books differed by at least 40%. “The government must explain who all took this commission. Have officials or politicians taken commissions for books meant for schoolchildren?” Mr. Bharadwaj said.

‘Deflecting attention’

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor rejected the charge, saying textbooks had been supplied regularly for the past two years.

He alleged that during the previous AAP government, entire academic sessions often passed without textbooks being supplied to students. “It appears that Saurabh Bharadwaj considers himself an expert capable of judging the quality of paper as well,” Mr. Kapoor said.