M M Jasim :
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is facing tremendous problem in printing the new primary textbooks as the printing press owners submitted bid quoting extra rate.
They are quoting extra rate due to increase in newsprint import cost as a result of appreciation of dollar against local currency.
The NCBT needs more Tk 111crore for printing the primary textbooks if the demand of printing press owners is met, Primary and Mass Education Ministry sources said
Officials of the ministry said, it is impossible to get new textbooks in time if the ministry calls tender again.
The ministry also held a meeting in this regard on Monday, but it ended without taking any decision.
Nesar Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry and Member of tender evaluation committee, said, they are trying to save the money of the government.
“We are looking for a path to resolve the unwanted crisis. Definitely, we will follow the government order,” he said.
NCTB sources said, the government fixed Tk 2.25 to print per forma newspaper. As a result, Tk 24.64 will be needed for a primary book. But the printing press owners submitted their tender with Tk 34.76. So, the ministry
will have to allocate more Tk 111 crore to fulfill their demand.
NCTB Chairman Narayan Chandra Shaha said, “We have formed a tender evaluation committee. We will receive whatever they send to us.”
The NCTB called tender on March 5 and opened it on April 12 this year. The final deed between the NCTB and the printing press owners is on June 6. The printing press owners have to provide half of the total textbooks by August 9 and the rest of the books by September 14.
The ministry officials said that it is impossible to provide the textbooks in time if the ministry calls tender again.
President of Printing Press Owners’ Association Tofayel Khan said, a portion of the ministry officials want to call tender again while another group wants to implement the existing rate.
“It is not possible for us to print the new textbooks with the existing rate. But at the same time if the government delays to call tender we will not be responsible for late distribution,” he said.
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is facing tremendous problem in printing the new primary textbooks as the printing press owners submitted bid quoting extra rate.
They are quoting extra rate due to increase in newsprint import cost as a result of appreciation of dollar against local currency.
The NCBT needs more Tk 111crore for printing the primary textbooks if the demand of printing press owners is met, Primary and Mass Education Ministry sources said
Officials of the ministry said, it is impossible to get new textbooks in time if the ministry calls tender again.
The ministry also held a meeting in this regard on Monday, but it ended without taking any decision.
Nesar Ahmed, Joint Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry and Member of tender evaluation committee, said, they are trying to save the money of the government.
“We are looking for a path to resolve the unwanted crisis. Definitely, we will follow the government order,” he said.
NCTB sources said, the government fixed Tk 2.25 to print per forma newspaper. As a result, Tk 24.64 will be needed for a primary book. But the printing press owners submitted their tender with Tk 34.76. So, the ministry
will have to allocate more Tk 111 crore to fulfill their demand.
NCTB Chairman Narayan Chandra Shaha said, “We have formed a tender evaluation committee. We will receive whatever they send to us.”
The NCTB called tender on March 5 and opened it on April 12 this year. The final deed between the NCTB and the printing press owners is on June 6. The printing press owners have to provide half of the total textbooks by August 9 and the rest of the books by September 14.
The ministry officials said that it is impossible to provide the textbooks in time if the ministry calls tender again.
President of Printing Press Owners’ Association Tofayel Khan said, a portion of the ministry officials want to call tender again while another group wants to implement the existing rate.
“It is not possible for us to print the new textbooks with the existing rate. But at the same time if the government delays to call tender we will not be responsible for late distribution,” he said.
