: Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday said students in government schools will receive textbooks by April 20, addressing concerns over delays following the start of the academic session on April 1. 

Mr. Sood said a tendering process adopted for printing textbooks reduced costs by 20-30% for the Directorate of Education (DoE) and ensured better utilisation of resources, but led to a slight delay. He added that the quality of the new textbooks has improved and that distribution has already begun for primary classes in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools. 

Earlier this week, the DoE directed private schools not to compel students or parents to purchase books, writing material or uniforms from specific vendors. Similar directions were issued last year following complaints from parents about being forced to buy expensive items from designated sellers. 

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav criticised the “triple-engine” government for failing to provide textbooks to students from Classes 1 to 8 despite the academic session beginning on April 1. He said lakhs of students were still awaiting their books.