Chandigarh Textbook Scandal: Parents Decry Unchanged Supply Despite Official Order
In Chandigarh, a persistent issue over the restricted supply of school textbooks has left parents frustrated and concerned, with no visible enforcement weeks after a formal complaint was submitted. The Chandigarh Parents' Association lodged a complaint on March 11, alleging that at least four private schools were undermining the education department's February 27 order, which mandated transparency in textbook lists. Despite this, parents report that the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged, with textbooks still limited to select shops and no effective follow-up from authorities.
On-Ground Checks Reveal Limited Availability
Investigations across major book markets in Sectors 19, 22, and 7 have confirmed that textbooks from the four schools in question—located in Sectors 44, 46, 27, and 26—are not available at most leading bookstores. Where books are found, availability is highly selective and confined to specific outlets. For instance, books from the Sector 27 school were only available at a shop in Sector 19, while those from the Sector 46 school were restricted to a store in Sector 34. Parents of the other two schools say their books continue to be sold through just one or two outlets, effectively creating a monopoly despite formal compliance with department directives.
Parents Voice Financial and Choice Concerns
Nitin Goyal, president of the Chandigarh Parents' Association, highlighted the adverse impacts of this restricted supply. "Books are being made available selectively, and in many cases parents are not being given the option to buy individual books. They are being forced to purchase full sets," he said. "This restricts choice and puts additional financial burden on families." Goyal added that several booksellers are willing to offer discounts but are unable to procure books outside the closed network, as they are not being supplied, forcing parents to pay higher prices or buy unnecessary sets.
Social Media and Official Responses Add to the Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire, a video circulating on social media shows a parent outside a bookstore in Sector 47, holding bundles of books and accusing private schools of arbitrary control over textbook sales. In response, District Education Officer Devender Singh stated that explanations had been sought from the schools named in the complaint. "They have denied the allegations and stated that books are available at multiple bookstores," he said, noting that a committee will be sent for on-ground verification if the issue persists. However, parents and ground checks contradict these official claims, raising serious doubts about whether the department's order is being implemented in both letter and spirit.
Box: Persistent Issues Despite Official Claims
Despite official assertions of open-market availability, checks at major book markets in Sectors 19, 22, and 7 reveal that even leading bookstores do not stock textbooks from some private schools named in the March 11 complaint. Availability remains limited to one or two outlets, with parents alleging that this effectively creates a controlled supply system, weeks after the issue was formally raised. This ongoing discrepancy highlights a gap between policy and practice, leaving families to grapple with limited options and increased costs.
