IMPHAL April 18: Six text book publishers have failed to supply the books orders set by BOSEM within the deadline which expires today.
Secretary of BOSEM on April 7 had announced that the unavailability of text books will be addressed with the utmost importance and the text books will be made available from today onwards. The promise has turned out hollow.
A reliable source informed that most of the publishers have met the deadline and the books are now in custody of BOSEM.But six publishers have failed to meet the deadline and it is highly predictable that they cannot meet the order, the source said. Out of the 62 printing presses awarded supply orders, Indrani Offset Printers , Thangal Bazar having supply order for 2000 copies for Manipuri Sahitya romanized (class 6), Rohen Offset Printing, Kwakeithel having order of 6,000 copies for Science and Technology (class 6), Sun Offset Printers, Khuman Lampak having order of 3000 copies for Social Science(class 6), Saratchandra Offset Printing, Keisamthong having order of 5,000 copies of Anouba Manipuri Grammar (class 9 and 10), Amar Offset, Uripok having order for 15,000 copies of Composite Modern English (class 4) and Wizard Computer Printing, Sagolband Thangapat having multiple order for books. Wizard has a supply order of 15 text books and has supplied only 6 books so far. The firm has pending supply for Hindi Pushpamala (Class 3,4,5,6,7,8) totally 90,000 copies and 15,000 copies for Manipur Sahitya (class 5). Another 15,000 copies for Manipuri Sahitya Meitei Mayek (class 5) and 15,000 copies for Samayana Hindi Pustika(class 8).
The source further informed that the 6 firms will not be able to supply the books for many obvious reasons. It was alleged that many firms have not completed printing the total number of due copies, but have just supplied a small amount first just for show that work has been completed to the scrutinizing student bodies. The binding quality for some books are also said to be of low quality.
In the meantime, MSF, AMSU,KSA and DESAM held a meeting today at AMSU headquarters in the regard. Sources further confirmed that the student organizations along with BOSEM officials will visit the presses which have failed to supply textbooks tomorrow to stop further printing works. The supply contract will be terminated and awarded to other credible publishers, it maintained.
It may be mentioned that the BOSEM chairman L Rajmohan had earlier warned that defaulting publishers will be blacklisted following expose by Manipuri Students’ Federation that text books were unavailable even after the academic session commenced. Books stores were found selling BOSEM textbooks without holograms and SSA books meant for free distribution on sale in the MSF drive.
