Two Indian firms are set to receive the contract to print and bind 82,000 textbooks for the primary level for the academic year of 2025. The Indian companies Pitambar Books Private Limited and Pioneer Printers will handle the project. The interim government has to spend Tk 45 crore for this project.
According to reports, the proposal related to this contract is expected to be approved at Tuesday's meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP). The meeting will also approve the selection of Bangladeshi companies tasked with printing other textbooks.
Sources reveal that the procurement proposal for printing, binding, and delivering textbooks (including paper) in 88 lots, covering 20 packages for primary levels (Classes one, two and three), may receive approval in the meeting. Among these, two Indian firms have been selected for 18 lots.
The textbooks, covering 15 subjects, will be distributed to 513 destinations across districts, upazilas, thanas, and centres. The capacity of the selected firms to print, bind, and deliver the books on time has been a key factor in their selection.
The distribution will be organised by class and subject, ensuring that each student receives their textbooks on time. To facilitate smooth and timely delivery, the textbooks have been divided into multiple lots based on upazila and district locations.
Doubts cast on capacityies
In conversations with The Business Post on condition of anonymity, insiders expressed concerns about the capability of the two Indian firms to handle tasks beyond printing. While the companies are capable of printing the textbooks in India, their ability to bind and deliver the books at the district, upazila, and thana levels has been questioned. They argued that based on this logic, Indian firms should not have been awarded the contracts.
When asked, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Chairman Professor Riazul Hasan said that the two Indian firms have been printing textbooks for a long time, possibly since 2009. "They have been awarded the contracts before I took over as chairman of NCTB. Following that continuity, they have been awarded the work again this time," he added.
NCTB received 152 bids
Under the National Curriculum 2021, the NCTB invited international tenders through the e-GP system to print, bind and deliver textbooks (including paper) for classes one, two, and three in both Bangla and English versions for the 2025 academic year. A total of 152 bids were received for 98 lots across 20 packages.
It has been reported that the estimated total cost for printing 4,02,56,346 copies of textbooks across 88 lots is Tk 169.16 crore (Tk 169,16,09,312.02), with an average cost of Tk 36.76 per book.
The government is aiming to ensure the timely delivery of textbooks to students at the beginning of the school year by expediting the printing process.
70 lots to local, 18 to Indian firms
Sources further stated that, as per Section 31 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, the Tender Evaluation Committee recommends accepting the lowest evaluated bids. Based on a thorough review and evaluation, the committee recommended approving the purchase proposal for 4,02,56,346 copies of textbooks to be printed for classes one, two, and three for the 2025 academic year.
Notably, out of the 88 approved lots, 70 have been awarded to the lowest bidders from local firms, while the remaining 18 lots went to the two Indian firms, who were also the lowest bidders.
A three-member Tender Evaluation Committee was formed by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to evaluate the bids for the textbook printing contracts. To assist with this process, a technical sub-committee was created by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). Upon receiving the tenders for review, the sub-committee submitted a report on their findings.
Procurement followed law, awaits final approval
According to a letter from the Cabinet Division, the NCTB chairman has issued a certification, which was endorsed by the secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The certification affirms that the procurement process for the contract followed all relevant laws and regulations.
The letter states, "The proposed procurement or contract process adhered fully to the prevailing laws and regulations and the proposal is not in violation of any relevant legal provisions. No deviation from established rules and principles occurred.
“The submitted bids and accompanying documents are fully consistent with the tender documents. All relevant information is clearly reflected in the summary, with no omission of any significant factual data," it said.
It has been learned that the Expenditure Management and Internal Audit division of the Ministry of Finance said in their opinion that the estimated cost of the 88 lots exceeds Tk 50 crore.
Therefore, the approval of the advisory committee on the government procurement is required for the final endorsement of the purchase proposal.
