Even though the strike over implementation of LBT on school books was called off last week, several books for students in Std I, II and X are yet to reach the bookstores
While the furore over the implementation of LBT on printed textbooks saw a happy conclusion last week with the government calling it off, the stiff protests over the issue seems to have affected the supply of several important textbooks. Students who will have to start classes on June 17 are still waiting for some of their textbooks to reach the market.
Bookstores across the city await the arrival of Std I and II books and books on subjects like History and Geography for Std X. Representation pic
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Last month, traders went on an indefinite strike over LBT by stopping the supply of books to wholesalers and distributors. The protests ended when the education department passed a resolution last week, saying that school textbooks would not come under the purview of the LBT.
Though the booksellers are finally happy, the aftershocks are being felt by students. Several Std I and Std II textbooks, and Std X textbooks on subjects such as History and Geography have not made it to bookstores. Even Urdu medium books for the same subjects have not reached the market. Earlier, traders had attributed the delay in supply to LBT.
Mandar Nerurkar, owner of Ideal Book Depot, said, “We didn’t receive Std I and II textbooks as the syllabus has changed. But I don’t understand why there should be a such a delay.” G K Mhamane, director of Balbharati, the state bureau of textbook production, was unavailable for a comment.
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