DHAKA – Paper mill owners have assured the government of supplying all the required paper on time to ensure smooth printing of textbooks for the next academic year. Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced this after a meeting with leading paper mill owners and representatives at the Education Ministry's conference room at the Secretariat.
Commitment to Avoid Artificial Shortages
The minister said the owners pledged to avoid any artificial shortage and supply paper at a fixed price within the required timeframe. "Without creating any artificial crisis, the country's paper mill owners have assured us of supplying all the necessary paper in due time for printing textbooks for the next academic year," he said.
Meeting Convened After Previous Allegations
Dr. Milon explained that the meeting was convened following allegations in previous years that an artificial paper shortage and price hikes had disrupted textbook printing towards the end of the year. He emphasized the government's determination to provide quality textbooks to students on schedule, in line with the commitment made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Quality and Timely Delivery
The minister highlighted that the main objective is to print the textbooks using standard-quality paper produced locally and ensure that students receive them on time. Following the assurance from paper mill owners, the government will hold a meeting with printing press owners to sign a legally binding agreement ensuring all parties fulfill their commitments.
Massive Textbook Printing Underway
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) plans to print nearly 31 crore textbooks for the next academic year, requiring an estimated 80,000 metric tonnes of paper. The country's paper mills have the capacity to meet the demand, with owners committing to supply at least 55,000 metric tonnes of quality paper per month, making it possible to deliver the required quantity within the next two months.
Key Stakeholders in Attendance
Among those attending the meeting were Deputy Managing Director of Bashundhara Paper Mills Limited M. Mustafizur Rahman, General Manager of Meghna Paper Mills Limited M. Yarul Islam Bidhut, General Manager of TK Chemical Complex Limited M. Mostafa Kamal, General Manager of Base Papers Limited M. Jabbar, M. Shakawat Hossen of Swiss Quality Paper, Creative Paper Mills Director M. Feroz Ahmed, Ethical Pulp and Paper Mills representative Masud Kamal Rana, and M. Lutfar Rahman of Partex Paper Mills. They assured the government of full cooperation in ensuring an uninterrupted supply of quality paper. Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, NCTB Chairman Professor Mohammad Fakhrul Mawla and senior officials of the ministry were also present at the meeting.
