HC questions rule on printing of textbooks

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to enquire into corruption in distributing books among primary schools -- through National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) -- in the last few years.

In the rule the court also asked the respondents to show cause why printing the books with substandard paper by the NCTB should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to ministries of education, finance, primary and mass education; chairmen of NCTB and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Consumers Association of Bangladesh’s Convener Mubassher Hossain, seeking necessary orders.

Petitioner’s lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua told The Daily Star that Consumers Association of Bangladesh has assessed that corruption worth Tk 160 crore has been committed over printing of the books last year.

Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute has also found that some NCTB books were printed with substandard paper, and documents were placed before the HC, he added.

Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.