Pb minister orders textbooks to be distributed one month before session

Punjab Education Minister Om Prakash Soni today directed officers to ensure that textbooks are distributed to students one month before the session starts.

These instructions were issued by the minister during a high-level meeting with officers of the Punjab School Education Board at Mohali, an official spokesman said.

He said the printing process should be completed well before time so that the students can get the textbooks one month before the next session.

Soni took strong exception to the unused textbooks stocked in the board and its depots.

He directed the officers to personally inspect all the stores and depots and make an inventory of the stock of undistributed textbooks.

He asked the officers to coordinate with the Social Welfare Department to get dues amounting to Rs 250 crore, pending on account of supply of textbooks.

The officers were also instructed to take up similar cases of outstanding payment with various departments.

He asked the officers to fill vacant posts in the board as early as possible.