88% free textbooks supplied, says AP official

Hyderabad, Jun 16 (UNI) Eighty-eight per cent of the free textbooks printed by the School Education Department had been despatched to the districts for onward transportation to respective mandals and schools for the current academic year.

This was informed by School Education Pricipal Secretary C B S Venkataramana at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here today.

Of the total requirement of 6.43 crore textbooks, 5.66 crore had been sent to the districts. The balance would be sent to the schools in a couple of weeks. As such, there was no need for any anxiety among the student community, he said.

The delay in printing the required quantity of books was due to among other reasons delay in finalising the tenders and limited number of printers available for printing the books.

In order to print the required books on time, orders were issued to 94 additional press units.

Printers from outside Andhra Pradesh were roped in and special officers deputed to each press within and outside the state to supervise the timely completion of the job, he added.

UNI