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Mafia controlling purchase of books by libraries: Baby

Baby says the lobby is making hefty profit.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister M.A. Baby has said that a mafia is controlling the purchase of books by libraries in the State.

Replying to a submission by Joseph M. Puthussery (Kerala Congress-M), the Education Minister said this lobby of book suppliers made a hefty profit by supplying books at very high prices, offering deep discounts and sharing the commission. The government had intervened in the purchase of books for school libraries only to check them, he said.

Mr. Baby said the government had not insisted on purchase of specific books. All that it had done was to prepare a list in a transparent manner indicating the titles that every school library should have. The Education Minister said the government had prepared the list with the help of a committee comprising officials and experts and after giving sufficient opportunity to publishers to submit their lists.

Welcoming the government stand that there would not be any compulsion on buying specific books, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy demanded to know if the government would permit schools to purchase books on the freedom struggle, freedom fighters or the nation’s history.

The Education Minister said schools could be permitted to purchase such books brought out by independent publishers.

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