Congress flays Modi govt for hike in price of textbooks

Ahmedabad, July 17 (UNI) The Gujarat Congress today criticised the Narendra Modi-led government for drastically increasing the prices of textbooks of standards 5th, 6th and 7th, thereby making it unaffordable for poor children.

Addressing mediapersons here, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said ''As per Article 45 of the Constitution, the state is bound to provide free education to children until 14 years of age. Yet despite this constitutional obligation the state government, far from providing free education, has drastically increased the prices of textbooks that are now beyond the reach of poor students.'' Mr Gohil said the ambit of price hike has hit poor students of standard 5th, 6th and 7th the most. The price rise is irrational, as there is no corresponding rise in printing or stationery, he said.

He said the price of English textbook for standard 5th has been raised to Rs 18 from Rs 7.50. Social studies textbook has been increased to Rs 18 from Rs 12, Science to Rs 11 from Rs 8.50, Hindi to Rs 14 from Rs 9.

For standard 6th, the price of Hindi textbook has been raised to Rs 15 from Rs 9, English to Rs 15 from Rs 9, Mathematics to Rs 16 Rs 14, Science to Rs 16 from Rs 13.50. Textbook on health and physical fitness has been hiked to Rs 12 from Rs 7.50.

Similarly for standard 7th, textbook prices have been raised in selected talukas. For instance, Gujarati textbook's price has been increased to Rs 16 from Rs 13, Hindi to Rs 28 from Rs 11, English to Rs 30 from Rs 11, Maths to Rs 28 from Rs 16, Science and technology to Rs 40 from Rs 14. This price rise is unimaginable and irrational and what is worse is that these rates would be implemented from next year all over Gujarat, Mr Gohil said.

''Our deamnd is that these price hikes must be withdrawn immediately to save the poor students, who simply cannot afford the luxury of buying books at such a high cost,'' he said.

''We also demand that as per constitutional norms the state government should give free education to the students of these standards. Instead of helping his (Mr Modi's) five crorepati friends benefit must reach the poor students,'' he said.

Mr Gohil pointed out that a student known for his studies Vora Jay Ashokbhai from Bhavnagar was awarded 21 marks in Computer Intro (comm). When he challenged it and went for reassessment he was made to wait for a long period before he was told that he had secured 72 marks. This is psychological harassment and playing with the future careers of students and points to mishandling of the education sector by the state government, he added.

UNI